Lohardaga’s Amrapali mangoes reach Dubai in export milestone

Binod Prasad

Lohardaga

In a major boost to Jharkhand’s horticulture sector, 1.5 metric tonnes of Amrapali mangoes from Lohardaga district were exported to Dubai from Kolkata on Tuesday. The consignment was virtually flagged off from the headquarters of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in Kolkata.

The virtual ceremony was attended by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev, Regional Manager Srikant Mandal, representatives of the Jharkhand Horticulture Department, NABARD officials, and members of the Senem Nerem Farmer Producer Group from Kuru block. Dev assured continued support to farmers and expressed interest in expanding future export opportunities from Lohardaga.

Calling it the district’s first formal international mango shipment, Lohardaga Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kumar Meena said the achievement marked a new chapter for a region traditionally known for its forests and mineral resources. He credited the transformation to the Birsa Harit Gram Yojana and coordinated efforts by various government departments since 2017.

According to officials, mango orchards in Lohardaga have expanded to 6,306 acres, benefiting more than 7,200 farmers. Around 1,780 acres of plantations are currently fruit-bearing, with nearly 1,860 farmers involved in production this season. Mango output is projected to reach 2,588 metric tonnes in 2026-27, with Amrapali being the dominant variety.

Until now, Lohardaga’s mangoes were largely sold in local markets and neighbouring regions. The Dubai shipment opens the door to global markets and is expected to improve returns for growers.

Officials said APEDA’s technical guidance played a key role in enabling exports. The district administration is now working to prepare Farmer Producer Organisations for international trade through certification, registration and market linkages, while strengthening cold-chain and post-harvest infrastructure.

Meena said Lohardaga aims to expand exports to other Gulf countries and European markets, reflecting growing confidence in the district’s horticultural potential