Lucknow: Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant has directed officials to establish a dedicated mango export cluster in the division to increase exports of the region’s famous mango varieties.
Chairing a meeting of the Divisional Agricultural Export Monitoring Committee constituted under the Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Export Policy, Pant called for coordinated efforts by the Agriculture Marketing, Agricultural Foreign Trade and Horticulture departments to strengthen mango exports.
He directed officials to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at increasing the share of export-quality mangoes and ensure that growers are trained accordingly. He also stressed documenting successful export initiatives as “success stories” to encourage other stakeholders.
Officials were directed to provide farmers with training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to ensure compliance with pesticide residue standards prescribed by importing countries. The Commissioner also called for expediting the establishment of a pack house in Unnao.
Exporters raised concerns over inadequate cargo space on flights from Lucknow airport. Pant assured them that the issue would be taken up with airlines for resolution.
He also directed the concerned authorities to coordinate with the MSME Department to initiate steps for including the Malihabadi Dussehri mango, a GI-tagged product, under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
The meeting was conducted by Sanjay Kumar, Assistant Marketing Officer, Lucknow. Officials from the Mandi Parishad, Agriculture, Horticulture, APEDA, Plant Quarantine, agricultural research, animal husbandry, food safety and fisheries departments, along with other stakeholders, attended the meeting.
