UP Mangoes: India''s Top Producer, Global Hub Vision - Adityanath

Lucknow, Jul 3 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh contributes 26 per cent of the country's total mango production despite accounting for only about 9 per cent of the area under mango cultivation, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday.

The chief minister called for the adoption of modern technology and artificial intelligence (AI)-based production methods in sync with changing times and said UP can become world's finest mango value chain hub.

Addressing the inaugural function of the Uttar Pradesh Mango Festival 2026 here, Adityanath said, "When it comes to mangoes in the country, Uttar Pradesh has its own distinct place. The state accounts for 26 per cent of the country's mango production while the crop is grown on only about 9 per cent of the land under mango cultivation."

The chief minister said around 800 varieties of mangoes from across the state are on display at the festival, including Dussehri from Malihabad, Langra from Varanasi and Gorakhpur, Ratol from Baghpat and Saharanpur, and Amrapali from Basti.

Calling the diversity of mangoes "the strength of Uttar Pradesh", Adityanath said every variety reflects "the fragrance of its soil and the sweetness of its region."

Highlighting the economic potential of mango cultivation, he said, "One acre of mango cultivation has proved that a farmer can earn a net income of around Rs 2.5 lakh. If it is linked with value addition and processing, the profits can increase further. If we prepare it for exports, its strength and the farmers' earnings grow even more."

Adityanath said the festival serves as a platform for farmers to showcase their produce and connect with buyers through buyer-seller meets, enabling them to take their products to global markets.

Referring to branding initiatives, he said Malihabad's Dussehri mango has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and has become "a global brand".

The chief minister said the state has also promoted Malihabad mangoes under the "Kakori" brand, named after the martyrs of the Kakori train action, to honour their sacrifice while giving the fruit a distinct global identity.

"It carries a sense of dedication to the nation along with the sweetness born of our farmers' hard work," he said.

Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh has established four modern mango pack houses in Saharanpur, Lucknow, Amroha and Varanasi for grading, sorting and packaging mangoes for export.

He said mangoes from the state are now being exported to countries including the UK, the UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, Kuwait, New Zealand, Belgium, Japan, Italy, Qatar and Russia.


The chief minister said an Integrated Testing and Treatment Park would be developed at the Noida International Airport in Jewar to facilitate exports of agricultural produce from the state.

He said the mango festival, launched after his government assumed office in 2017, has evolved into a major platform for promoting farmers, food processing, exports and the Centre's "Vocal for Local" initiative besides facilitating buyer-seller meets, and convergence of machinery suppliers, FPOs, Self Help Groups, agriculture and horticulture scientists.

Calling for collective efforts to transform Uttar Pradesh into the world's finest mango value chain hub, Adityanath 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 immediately begin the process of obtaining GI tags for as many mango varieties as possible.

The chief minister also stressed that Uttar Pradesh's food grains, vegetables and fruits should be free from chemical fertilisers and pesticides, saying precautions should be taken from seed to market, as global demand for organic products continues to rise.

"Farmers should be trained to produce organic and fully traceable agricultural products," he said.

Referring to the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, Adityanath highlighted the wide range of mango-based products and recalled how mango feasts were once a common tradition in schools, homes and villages during July.


Stressing the need to create a distinct identity for mango tourism, he said farmers should be encouraged to become agri-entrepreneurs through value creation, innovation and promotion of the rural economy.

The chief minister also called for wider adoption of AI-enabled drones, satellite mapping, precision farming, sensor-based irrigation and digital mandis to advance smart horticulture.

He emphasised the need to develop post-harvest infrastructure, cold chains, ripening centres, pack houses, food processing units and export facilities in every district.

"These initiatives should be implemented both through the Horticulture Department and under the PPP model. Fair returns on agricultural produce would encourage more young people to take up farming and entrepreneurship," he said.

Self-help groups, he said, would play a leading role in value addition. As Uttar Pradesh's products reach major global markets, they will contribute to realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Uttar Pradesh, Viksit Bharat.