‘Mango cultivation has not kept up with demand'
OUR BUREAU
For higher yields: Mr Atul Singh (left), President and CEO, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia, and Mr Atul Jain, Joint Managing Director, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd, at a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday. – Shashi Ashiwal
Packaged drinks push up pulp demand
MUMBAI, SEPT. 15:
The Jain Irrigation-Coca-Cola India initiative – Unnati – is to push up mango yield, which has seen a steady fall in the last 10 years. India, the world's largest producer of mango, has seen its market share falling from 50 per cent in 1999 to 45 per cent currently.
Mr Atul Jain, Joint Managing Director, Jain Irrigation, said the area under mango cultivation has not kept pace with the growing demand due to long gestation period and volatility in prices.
The technique adopted under Ultra High Density Plantation has been standardised and commercialised at the company's R&D farm of 100 acres at Udmalpet in Tamil Nadu, he said.
It is estimate that the demand for packaged mango-based beverages is set to increase consistently over the coming year.
COKE'S NEED
Mr Asim Parekh, Vice-President (Technical), Coca-Cola India, said the company requires 60,000 tonnes of mango pulp a year with Jain Irrigation supplying more than 70 per cent of its requirement.
“The demand for packaged mango-based beverages registered a growth 20-25 per cent in last two years. Both the companies have plans to replicate Unnati for growing orange depending on the success of mango cultivation,” he added.
UHDP mango plantation is a viable solution and can be undertaken in al regions where mangoes are grown traditionally, said Mr Jain.
The process requires mango grafts of commercial varieties planted close to each other. Special technique of pruning, irrigation and growth promotion leads to the well-rounded growth of mango orchards with sufficient number of branches and shoots.
Special care for nutrition management and pest control are also undertaken. Together, these modern techniques are expected to double the produce compared to traditional plantation methods.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article2453464.ece
