Malda Himsagar Fazli Mango Variety History West Bengal

Malda district in northern West Bengal is India's premier table mango growing district, producing the Himsagar, Fazli, and Lakshmanbhog varieties that are considered among the finest eating mangoes in the world for their fibreless pulp, rich sweetness, and distinctive floral-honey aroma that cannot be replicated in other climates. Malda's mango orchards occupy over 70,000 hectares and produce approximately 400,000 tonnes annually. Himsagar — a compact oval mango weighing 200-350 grams with saffron-yellow flesh — ripens in late May and has an intense sweetness and low fibre content; it was historically sent in wicker baskets to the Mughal court as a gift. Fazli — a very large oblong variety weighing 400-700 grams — ripens in July-August and has a long shelf life suitable for export. Both varieties received GI tags. Malda's Rajmahal terrace laterite soil and the diurnal temperature variation of the Ganga-Mahananda river junction area are considered unique determinants of the mango's aromatic quality. West Bengal government has developed a Malda Mango Brand for direct marketing to Delhi, Mumbai, and overseas buyers through the state's Matir Katha cooperative network.