PANAJI
With Goa being home for more than 100 varieties of mango, the State government has proposed DNA barcoding of all these varieties within two years, for accurate identification and authentication of the species.
Also, to safeguard mango biodiversity from extinction, the State intends to establish a germplasm bank in isolated locations and on comunidade land.
The State government’s ambitious ‘State Amritkal Agriculture Policy 2025’ launched on February 11 proposes to increase the area of mango cultivation from the present 5,071 ha to 7,500 ha in a period of ten years.
The policy speaks about roping in Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) to undertake detailed study of innumerable heterozygous materials, some which have got promising characteristics.
“State has more than one hundred named varieties in mango besides innumerable heterozygous material, some with very promising characteristics. This needs to be preserved and studied upon. This heterozygous material shall be searched for exploitation for specific purposes. CCARI -ICAR shall be entrusted with this task,” the policy stated.
"The germplasm will be preserved, similar to cashew, in isolated locations and comunidade land. DNA barcoding of all varieties and sub-varieties will be completed within two years of the policy's notification," it added.
A germplasm is a collection of genetic resources for an organism. The germplasm bank will be a repository of all the elite and popular mango varieties of the state. Gene banks generally store seeds but since mango kernels cannot be preserved, the State will have plants of different varieties in an orchard.
The policy had laid emphasis on commercial use of mango fruit.
According to the government, though the most popular and unique Mancurad mango is one with highest demand; it perishes very fast thus limiting its trade ability.
“Cardozo cultivar selected by CCARI -ICAR shall be promoted for ensuring the quality of the fruit and its trade promotion,” it said adding that Salcete Musaratt variety, suitable for jams and pickles, will be promoted for processing.
Though Keshar variety is introduced in Goa from Gujarat, it performs well under local conditions and therefore shall be promoted in compact areas for exports, the policy added.
As the government intends to bring large tracks under mango cultivation, the stress will be laid on plantations on laterite rocky areas, as the fruit respond to management and provide better quality produce.
“If required, agencies shall be identified to take up planting in odd terrains and develop compact mango orchards with assistance from the Government. Water harvesting structures and irrigation shall be promoted in such areas. This will create employment in farm sector and add values to the farm produce,” the policy said.
