The sweet aroma of ripening mangoes now greets visitors entering Kusumtai Wankhede Hall in Ramdaspeth, where the state's Mango and Millet Festival has brought a slice of Konkan to Nagpur. From the famed Alphonso varieties of Ratnagiri and Devgad to Kesar and locally sourced produce, the festival has turned into a seasonal attraction for locals eager to sample the flavors of Maharashtra.
Event Details and Organization
Organized by the Nagpur division of the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board, the Mango, Millet and Grains Festival began on May 15 and has transformed the venue into a colorful marketplace showcasing fruits, traditional foods, and agri-products from across the state. More than 50 stalls featuring products collectively worth over 1 crore have been set up at the festival. Of these, 21 stalls are dedicated to mango varieties sourced from Konkan, Ratnagiri, Devgad, and other regions of Maharashtra. Fifteen stalls specifically showcase mangoes from the Konkan belt, while six feature local vendors.
Alphonso Mangoes: The Star Attraction
For many visitors, the biggest attraction remains famed Alphonso mangoes from Ratnagiri and Devgad, long regarded among India's finest varieties. The festival offers consumers an opportunity to directly interact with growers and sellers while experiencing the distinct mangoes from different regions. One vendor from Guhagar in Ratnagiri said the region's mangoes have a distinctive appeal. "Our mangoes are special because they develop a reddish tinge. We also sell Devgad Alphonso mangoes," vendor Roshan Khadpe said, pointing to the subtle variations that distinguish Konkan produce.
Promoting Millets and Healthy Eating
Beyond mangoes, the festival also aims to promote healthier food choices by showcasing a wide range of millets and millet-based products. Traditional grains, including sorghum, nachni, bajra, sawa, varai, sama, bhagar, and rala, are available in raw as well as processed forms. Visitors can browse through products such as nachni biscuits, nachni papad, sorghum lahya, roasted sorghum, bajra snacks, idli mixes, and Kutkiche Ladu among several other offerings.
Impact and Significance
Officials said the initiative not only helps create direct opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs but also introduces consumers to agricultural diversity and traditional food products. With mangoes dominating the season and millet-based foods gaining popularity, the fest offers Nagpurians a taste of Konkan and a glimpse into Maharashtra's rich agricultural heritage.
