Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the ninth edition of the three-day Mango Festival 2026 at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow. During the event, he also released the official souvenir of the festival and honoured progressive orchardists for their outstanding contributions to horticulture and mango cultivation.
Speaking on the occasion, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Foreign Trade and Agricultural Exports, Dinesh Pratap Singh, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his support in organizing the festival. He highlighted that more than 800 varieties of mangoes have been showcased at the event, offering visitors, children and families a unique opportunity to explore the diversity of the state’s most celebrated fruit.
The festival is being conducted at three locations—Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, mango orchards in Malihabad alongside farmers, and Jan Bhavan in the presence of the Governor. The initiative aims to promote prosperity and improve the livelihoods of horticulture farmers across the state.
The minister outlined several innovations undertaken by the Horticulture Department, including the use of paper bag technology to improve mango quality, the formation of an Export Promotion Board, the establishment of high-tech nurseries and efforts to encourage lotus cultivation. He noted that the number of saplings distributed through high-tech nurseries has increased from 7.4 million to 290 million during the tenure of the current government.
Emphasising sustainable urban development, the minister also advocated rooftop gardening in cities, describing it as an effective way to enhance greenery, absorb carbon dioxide and create positive environmental impact amid shrinking agricultural land.
He further highlighted initiatives such as the Chief Minister State Horticulture Development Scheme and divisional-level horticulture advancement workshops aimed at encouraging high-value crops, including medicinal plants, on smaller landholdings.
According to the minister, horticultural crops now account for 42 percent of the state’s agricultural output despite occupying only 9 percent of cultivated land, reflecting the sector’s growing economic importance. Uttar Pradesh’s horticultural produce is currently being exported to countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Italy, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar and several Gulf and European nations.
The state continues to lead the country in mango and honey production. The government has also launched branding initiatives such as “Kashi Honey” to strengthen international market recognition. Efforts are additionally underway to promote the cultivation of crops such as makhana, dates, lotus, strawberries and dragon fruit.
The minister said the achievements of the Horticulture Department have significantly enhanced the reputation of both farmers and the state government, describing the current progress as a landmark moment in the department’s 50-year history.
In view of the recent tragic incident in Aliganj, Lucknow, organisers decided to cancel the cultural programmes scheduled as part of the festival, citing respect for local sentiments and Indian cultural values.
