Why in News?
Amrapali mangoes from Simdega district, Jharkhand, made their first-ever district export to London markets on June 5, 2026. A consignment of 1,322 kg was shipped via Kolkata, procured from women farmers at Rs 42/kg under an initiative converging MGNREGA and Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) under the Birsa Harit Gram Yojana.
Origin and Hybrid Genetics
- Scientific Pedigree: Amrapali is a hybrid cultivar developed by crossing the famous Dasheri (paternal parent) and Neelum (maternal parent) varieties.
- Creation: It was introduced in 1971 by Dr. Pijush Kanti Majumdar at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Delhi.
- Eponym: The variety is named after Ambapali (Amrapali), a famous ancient royal courtesan and disciple of Lord Buddha from Vaishali, who, according to legend, was found as an infant under a mango tree.
Botanical and Cultivation Features
- Dwarf Tree Structure: The tree grows to a height of only 3–4 metres. It is ideal for high-density backyard or orchard planting, housing up to 10–15 times more trees per hectare than traditional varieties.
- Regular Bearer: Unlike many traditional varieties that produce fruit alternate seasons, Amrapali yields fruit consistently every year.
- Early Fruiting: It begins bearing fruit just two years after planting, compared to the four-to-five-year timeline of traditional varieties.
- High Productivity: It yields an impressive average of around 16 tonnes per hectare.
Physical and Flavour Attributes
- Appearance: The fruit is small-to-medium-sized and grows in clusters. It retains a slightly greenish-yellow skin tone even when fully ripe.
- Pulp & Texture: The internal flesh is deep orange-red, offering an incredibly smooth, low-fibre texture with an intense, earthy sweetness.
Nutritional Value
- High Beta-Carotene: Amrapali stands out because its pulp contains approximately 2.5 to 3 times more β-carotene (Vitamin A precursor) than other commercial mango varieties.
- Caloric Value: It provides roughly 60 calories per 100 grams and is rich in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and essential minerals.
Cultivation Drawback
- Short Shelf Life: The main commercial challenge of Amrapali is its relatively short shelf-life post-ripening, which necessitates specialized handling and cold storage during transit.
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