From Simdega to London, the women farmers behind Jharkhand's first mango export

A little over a decade ago, much of the land now covered in mango trees in Jharkhand's Simdega district lay largely unused. This summer, fruit grown on those orchards made a journey few could have imagined: across continents to the United Kingdom.

The shipment marks Jharkhand's first commercial export of fresh mangoes to the UK, of more than 1.3 tonnes, marking a milestone for a district better known for its forests and tribal communities than international commerce.

Behind the shipment are women-led farmer producer companies that have spent years building orchards, learning cultivation techniques and meeting the quality standards required for overseas markets. The export is being seen as a significant moment not only for the district's farmers but also for the growing movement to bring India's regional produce to a global audience.

More from Lifestyle

The women helping put Simdega on the export map

The mango variety at the centre of the story is Amrapali, a popular hybrid known for its sweetness, rich flavour and high yield. While varieties such as Alphonso and Kesar often dominate conversations around Indian mango exports, growers in eastern India have increasingly embraced Amrapali because of its productivity and suitability for commercial cultivation.

The export did not happen overnight. Over the years, thousands of acres of land in Simdega were converted into mango orchards under livelihood and afforestation initiatives aimed at creating long-term income opportunities for rural communities.

Women associated with self-help groups were trained in orchard management, harvesting, grading and post-harvest handling, skills that have become essential as Indian farmers seek access to international markets.

Exporting fresh fruit comes with challenges. Mangoes must be harvested at the right stage of maturity, sorted carefully and packaged to withstand long-distance transport while meeting stringent quality requirements. To prepare farmers for these demands, training and technical support were provided through local agencies and export promotion bodies.

For consumers in Britain, the shipment is another sign of the growing popularity of Indian produce abroad. For the women farmers of Simdega, however, it represents something more personal: proof that fruit grown in a remote corner of Jharkhand can compete in international markets.

As the district expects a much larger mango harvest this year, local producers hope this first shipment will be the beginning of a longer export journey. If successful, it could help transform Simdega from an unlikely mango-growing region into one of the state's emerging agricultural success stories.