Dharwad-Samrudhi Mango Growers

If you spend any time in Dharwad, you know how important mangoes are to us. We are the Dharwad-Samrudhi Mango Growers. Our main point of contact is Bhimanand Siddappa Chougala over at the APMC. It’s a busy spot, especially when the mango season hits. We aren't some big food conglomerate. We are just the people who own the orchards and spend all year waiting for those few months of harvest. It’s a lot of waiting and watching the trees. We formed this group because we wanted to have more control over where our mangoes go once they leave the trees. The APMC is where a lot of the action happens, so that’s where we stay connected. It’s a noisy, dusty place but it’s the heart of the trade here. We don't have a polished story to tell. We just grow mangoes, hope for no hailstorms, and try to get the best fruit to the people who want it. Some years are better than others, that's just how it goes with nature. We talk a lot about the different varieties and how the weather is affecting the flowering. It’s what we live and breathe. We are proud of what grows here in Dharwad and we just want to keep the tradition going for the next generation. It is hard work, but we enjoy the life we have here.