Mango cultivation is a very special part of India’s farming economy: PM | Today’s news
New Delhi – Mango cultivation and the farmers involved in it are “very special to the country’s agricultural economy”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address on Sunday.
Highlighting India’s mango diversity, Modi said the popular summer fruit is making its way from the country’s villages to global markets.
“Each region… its own mango, its own taste, its own aroma,” he said, listing varieties like Maharashtra’s Alphonso (Hapus), Gujarat’s Kesar, Uttar Pradesh’s dussehri and his own constituency Varanasi’s Langra.
While India is the world’s largest producer of mangoes, most of its yield is consumed domestically, with about 1% exported. India exported nearly 29,938.40 tonnes of mangoes worth $56.50 million to destinations such as the UAE, US, Kuwait and Qatar in FY25, according to data cited by the Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (Apeda).
The prime minister also talked about the intense summer conditions prevailing in several parts of the country. He highlighted traditional foods and drinks that can help people cope with the heat, including sattu sherbet, kokam sherbet and sol kadhi.
His remarks come amid an ongoing heat wave in several parts of north India, where daytime temperatures hover around 45 degrees Celsius. Modi urged citizens to stay hydrated and be careful when stepping out in the sun. “Do not forget the instructions issued by various government departments in this regard,” he added.
A heat wave has increased demand for energy in the world’s most populous country. Mint reported on May 29 that several parts of India are facing power outages during evening and night hours as the grid struggles to meet demand once solar supply fades.
The Prime Minister also highlighted local efforts to clean up polluted rivers, the growing interest in astronomy clubs, the rescue of a Ganges dolphin using a special ambulance and the progress made by Indian athletes in athletics.
Modi also spoke about the recent return of ancient Chola period copper plates from the Netherlands to India.
“These are 21 large and 3 small copper plates. They mainly relate to King Rajendra Chola, the first to fulfill the promise made by his father, King Rajaraja Chola. They mention the donation of Anaimangalam village to a Buddhist monastery. These copper plates also describe the achievements of the Chola dynasty,” Modi said. “They reveal how formidable the naval power of the Chola Empire was. They also provide information about their relations with the countries of Southeast Asia.”
The Chola dynasty, which ruled much of southern India between the 9th and 13th centuries, was known for its naval power and influence in Southeast Asia.
