In a bid to boost mango exports, the Malda district administration has sought the financial and technical help of the state government to set up an irradiation plant in the region.

Malda accounts for 73 per cent of India’s mango exports to foreign countries, according to local reports, but fruit must be irradiated to gain access to the US, West Asia and European markets.

Meanwhile, India’s National Horticulture Board (NHB) has placed orders for two Israeli canopy management pruning machines, designed to mechanically rejuvenate mango trees in large areas.

And Himachal Pradesh is seeking funding for the purchase of anti-hail guns to protect the state’s fruit crop (worth Rs20bn) from hailstorms.

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