India Post to deliver mangoes to doorsteps
The Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation (KSMDMC) has partnered with the Indian Postal Service to deliver the mangoes on Tuesdays and Fridays. Following the Covid-19 outbreak, farmers faced the prospect of their produce going to waste given the nationwide lockdown, which was extended to 3 May.
KSMDMC’s managing director C.G. Nagaraj said farmers will be able to check orders via a website and what category of mangoes is in demand. They will then have to deliver the mangoes to the Central Post Office in Bengaluru. Since fruits come under essential goods, farmers are allowed to commute and transport their goods to markets
“The delivery of orders will take place only on Tuesdays and Fridays, and a special van has been allotted by the postal department to deliver the mangoes,” Nagaraj said.
Officials said all safety precautions will be taken and deliveries will be carried out while following social distancing measures.
Abhay Kumar, who farms mangoes and grapes in Bijapur, said the state government’s portal will help farmers like him earn during the lockdown.
“Since the Covid-19 crisis, we have been having very tough times. The mango season has just started… we are able to sell both in the markets as well as through the government website. We could have earned profits if we tried to sell during normal times, but now we are at least assured of a respectable price through the mango board,” said the farmer from Bijapur.
The mango delivery service is only available in Karnataka.
