NEW DELHI. July 6: Put away your cutlery India, the world's largest mango producer, is I -ping to boost sagging exports of the king of b ills by teaching Westernershow to eat it the light way. reports AFP

The Agricultural and Processed Food P'oducts Exports Development Authority I aPEDA) is sending thousands of colourful b"s i Hires to buyers abroad. detailing how best to rt tab a Juicy mango

'« ne reason why mangoes are not popular is la-cause of the difficult ? in eating them at the table with forks and spoons, said APEDA Chairman Gokul Patnaik. "We are 'making efforts to educate foreigners on how to cut and eat them "

Some of the estimated 1.000 varieties of mangoes which India , induces can be enjoyed only by sucking them ne told reporters ahead of an international ma., go festival opening here on Friday ‘How many abroad do that?"

Simultaneously, the APEDA. a promotional body for Indian exporters, has drawn up a series of other measures to step up mango sales in the world market.

India produces 10 million tonnes of mangoes a year or 60 per cent of global production But it exported only 26.000 tonnes in the 1992-93 fiscal year, the last year fpr which figures are available

Indian mangoes end up on tables in nearly 40 countries, chiefly In Britain. Canada. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia

'We are also trying to identify mangoes which will suit western tastes Patnaik said. Westerners look for <-olour and size of the fr-nt We will try lo conform to their demands

Although the mango is native to India many o the varieties developed in 63 other countries taste radically different This. Patnaik said, caused problems for Indian exporters

"Our prlma: concern is to increase the awareness of tin Ind in mango, ’ he said.

But there are oth r difficulties too

Japan and the I itted States do not buy Indian fruit because of complaints of contamination by fruit flies

Patnaik said Japan was soon to build a plant in New Delhi to give vapour heat treatment to the fruit before ft is put on ships APEDA engineers have undergone training In Tokyo to operate the equipment

Another problem is that Indian mangoes sold abroad tend to cost more because they are air freighted. But if shipped, they often rot during the Journey.

Patnaik said New Delhi had finally developed pre-cooling technology to ensure that mangoes remain fresh for up to four weeks and the first shipments In the new containers reached London and Rotterdam earlier this year

APEDA is also promoting the mango in Malaysia Singapore and eastern Europe

We are sure these steps will boost exports Patnaik said

The mango Is a sure asset which we can develop as a major export earner."

The upcoming mango exhibition, the seventh of Its kind will feature some 500 varieties of Indian mango, and samples from Colombia Brazil Pakistan Guatrmja the Philippines and the United States

Visitors will be able to buy mangoes and mango products, mango plants and. If they wish even take । part in a mango eating competition