New Delhi

TheAgricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the first-ever air shipment of Karnataka's Neelam and Totapuri mangoes to the Maldives to promote India's late-season mango varieties in overseas markets, an official statement said on Friday.

The one-metric-tonne consignment was flagged off on July 30 by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev and was sourced directly from farmers associated with Prakruthimaya Farmers Producer Company Ltd. in Kolar district of Karnataka, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said.

The shipment was exported by Ahalya Devi Ventures, led by entrepreneur Ashwini A, highlighting the growing participation of women-led businesses in India's agricultural exports.

According to APEDA, the initiative is expected to strengthen India's mango export basket by expanding the global reach of Karnataka's late-season varieties, which are harvested from late June to the end of July.