MALDA, 28 MARCH: Malda district deserves to earn Geographical Indication Index for another variety of Malda mango called Ashwina, used for pickles , from Intellectual Property Rights, Union commerce and Industry ministry, said Mr MD Singh , principal scientist, Central Institute of subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow.
He was addressing a training programme of mango growers and traders on “Geographical Indication and Patent” in Malda yesterday having succeeded in earning Geographical Indication for three varieties of Malda mangoes Lakshman Bhog, Himsagar and Fazli.
The programme was organised by the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), under the Central government’s department of science and technology, in association with state Food Processing Industries and Horticulture.
The objective of this training programme was to campaign about the benefits of the GI registration. Dr Indira Banerjee, Patent Attorney in Kolkata, came here to train the mango growers.
According to Mr MD Singh, a research and training centre under the CISH would be set up soon in Malda for quality mango production. A pulp processing as well as pulp packaging plant would be set up at Malda Food Park.
Addressing the programme, Mrs Sabina Yeasmin, sabhadhipati of Malda zilla parishad, said: “Every body knows about Malda mangoes but we are no position to earn recognition due to lack of technical support”.
The deputy director of horticulture department in Malda Mr Taslimuddin Ahmed thanked the TIFAC and CISH for extending support to development mango industries here.
The English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury pointed that land ceiling has prevented interested entrepreneurs from setting up mango industries here.
“In Darjeeling there is no ceiling of land procurement for tea industries. In last budget session I pointed the problem and urged the house to consider the point”, Mr Choudhury said.
The Sujapur Congress MLA, Dr AN Khan Choudhury, he is also chairman of the governing council of Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering and Technology said: “Due to lack of knowledge and manpower the Malda is lagging behind in Mango industries. Food processing would be given top priority in our Institution”.
The assistant director of horticulture department Mr Rahul Chakraborty said: “Smoke from huge brick kilns is the biggest threat in Malda for mango cultivation”.
Dr Debabrata Majumdar , senior scientist of the TIFAC, ensured that his department would extend technical support to develop mango industries in this district. SNS
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