Pune: In a notable development for mango cultivators, a farmer from Buchkewadi in Junnar Taluka, Bharat Jadhav, has introduced a new mango variety named "Junnar Gold."
This new variety, which boasts a taste reminiscent of the famous Hapus (Alphonso) mango and a shape similar to the Rajapuri variety, has an average fruit weight of 800 to 900 grams.
The Agricultural Science Center in Narayangaon has submitted a proposal to register this new variety under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act.
The proposal includes detailed samples of the mango's fruits and leaves and has been forwarded to the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority in New Delhi.
The variety gained attention when Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer Satish Shirsath visited Jadhav's orchard during the mango season. He observed the new mango variety, developed using a selection method by Jadhav himself.
To validate the uniqueness and qualities of "Junnar Gold," Jadhav contacted Krushiratna Anil Meher, the president of the Agricultural Science Center, Narayangaon.
Following his review, Meher directed experts from the center, horticulture specialist Bharat Temkar and crop protection expert Dr. Dattatreya Gawde, to conduct a field inspection of the new variety.
After the inspection, the experts collected samples of the mangoes and their leaves for further testing at Ashwamedh Engineers and Consultant Laboratory Services in Nashik. A comprehensive report from the laboratory has already been received.
For over 22 years, Jadhav has been dedicated to cultivating mango trees on his two hectares of unirrigated land. Over time, he has successfully nurtured a range of mango varieties, with "Junnar Gold" emerging as a promising new addition to his collection.
