Mahaweli farmers grow most expensive mango

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

For the first time Mahaweli farmers have introduced Sri Lanka's highest priced mangoes to the local market.

Branded as Tom EJC, (Mangifera indicath ) is a mango to be priced at around Rs. 700 to the local market and at around Rs. 900 to both UK and European markets.

"We are also planning to grow 20 acres of Tom EJC in the Moragahakanda area from next month," Director General, Mahaweli authority, D.M.C. Dissanayake said.

He said that this would done in a special model farm that is being launched under the Moragahakanda project.

"We have allocated 60 acres for this and already several varieties are being grown in it".

The Mahaweli farmers have already obtained plants from overseas and have planted them in Mahaweli areas. After 5 years of planting it can obtain economic yields and the Mahaweli Authority is now making arrangements for export in a more organised manner.

He said that this farm would also conduct awareness programs and workshops in a bid to popularise this mango among the Mahaweli farmers. "When it is grown on a large-scale the local price too would come down," he said.

Tom EJC is grown in tropical countries and is recommended for the dry zone. It is a large fruit weighing over 500 grams.