Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday called for an integrated push to make Uttar Pradesh’s mangoes globally competitive through quality assurance, branding, processing, traceability and organic certification.Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘Mango Festival 2026’ at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Yogi said the state’s approach should go beyond expanding acreage and output.“Preparations should ensure that mangoes produced by Uttar Pradesh’s farmers meet the highest standards of quality, trust and global benchmarks,” he said, underlining that export acceptance increasingly depends on packaging standards, product testing, residue compliance and end-to-end supply chain visibility.The chief minister toured exhibition stalls and reviewed more than 800 mango varieties showcased at the event.Insisting that horticulture can serve as a multi-source income model if linked with allied activities and market access, the CM said, “A single orchard can become a multi-dimensional source of income through fruit production, processing, tourism, organic products, beekeeping, the food industry and exports, thereby significantly enhancing farmers’ earnings.”He also cited the growing role of value addition in raising farm incomes, noting that processing and export-oriented production can improve margins compared with raw fruit sales alone.Yogi pointed to Langra mangoes from Varanasi and Gorakhpur, Gaurjeet from Gorakhpur, Amrapali from Basti, Dussehri from Malihabad in Lucknow, and Rataul from Baghpat and Saharanpur, among many others. He described varietal diversity as a key advantage for the state, saying, “The diversity is UP’s greatest strength,” as officials showcased mangoes arranged across seven categories and 56 classes.During interactions with growers honoured at the festival, the CM sought details on cultivation and pest management practices.He also cited profitability trends in mango cultivation in the state, saying farmers are generally earning profits of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per acre. He added that incomes can rise further with value addition, food processing and export linkages. Describing the festival’s role, he said it functions as a showcase for Uttar Pradesh while providing a broader learning and market interface for farmers from across India.Officials said the festival has been organised continuously since 2017, with the first edition featuring a limited selection of varieties and each year expanding its scope. This year, branding displays for dragon fruit and lotus were also included alongside mango exhibits, reflecting the state’s wider horticulture diversification efforts.Uttar Pradesh cultivates mangoes across all 18 divisions, 75 districts, 350 tehsils and 825 development blocks, officials said. The state contributes about 26% of India’s total mango production, making it one of the country’s most significant mango-growing regions. The buyer-seller meet held alongside the festival was highlighted by the CM as a practical tool for market expansion, similar to platforms developed under the One District One Product initiatives, enabling farmers and entrepreneurs to connect with bulk buyers and explore new channels.He linked the festival’s objectives with the Prime Minister’s ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign, stating that promoting local produce through competitive quality and modern marketing supports the broader vision of self-reliance.On exports, the CM said mangoes from Uttar Pradesh are shipped to markets including the United Kingdom, the UAE, Kuwait, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Belgium, Japan, Italy, Russia, Qatar and other countries. He said agencies such as APEDA facilitate direct connections between overseas buyers and Farmer Producer Organisations, helping shorten the chain between producers and international markets.Referring to Malihabad mangoes, Yogi said the state has introduced the ‘Kakori Brand ’, stating that it honours the martyrs of Kakori and is intended to keep their legacy alive.He said modern mango pack houses are already operational in Saharanpur, Varanasi, Lucknow and Amroha, offering grading, sorting, packing and export facilitation. He announced that an Integrated Testing and Treatment Park will be established near Noida International Airport at Jewar to enable more efficient export processing for local produce. He also highlighted fruit cover bag technology as a tool to improve mango quality and reduce damage.Get GI tags for mango varietiesCalling for technology-led horticulture, the CM said the state should promote research, advanced nursery techniques, drone- and AI-based farming, quality testing, food processing, cold chain infrastructure, branding, e-commerce and global exports through an integrated approach. He directed the horticulture department to begin the process of obtaining GI tags for as many mango varieties as possible and stressed that the state’s food grains, vegetables and fruits should be free from chemical fertilisers and pesticides.He also referred to the ODOC (One District One Cuisine) initiative while highlighting mango-based delicacies, and called for the development of ‘mango tourism’ as a new identity linked to orchards and rural experiences.
