HYDERABAD: The state horticulture department has decided not to organize annual mango mela owing to the ongoing bifurcation work and elections.
"This year we are not organizing the mango mela as we are tied up with the bifurcation work. We are busy with too much administrative process, which will make it impossible for us to focus on the mela," said Balaji Naik, deputy director, horticulture department.
"Also, the model code of conduct does not permit us to take up such a programme now," he said.
Officials said the subsidy offered by the government to farmers on sale of mango fruits at the fair would attract the model code of conduct. Thousands of people flock the annual mela where the department of horticulture facilitates availability of carbide-free mango fruits of dozens of varieties from across Andhra Pradesh. "That they are carbide-free and ethylene gas is not used for ripening was always a big reason for drawing crowds," said an official.
Last year, hundreds of tonnes of mangoes were sold at the fair organized at the Exhibition Grounds.
Officials said compared to last year, the mango yield is good this year, as there were no major unseasonal rains unlike last year.
Currently, carbide-ripened mangoes are being sold openly in the market, despite creating awareness among farmers and traders about ill effects of such methods, officials said.
About 15 varieties of mangoes are made available by individual farmers and Mango Growers' Association, providing denizens a chance to taste benishan, rassal, mallika, kesari, langda and himayat to name a few during the fair.
The month-long affair is divided into three phases keeping in mind the different ripening period of mangoes grown in various parts of the state.