Chandigarh, Jul 29 - The Haryana government will set up a Centre of Excellence for mango in collaboration with Israel at Ladwa in Kurukshetra district at a cost of Rs five crore.

The Union government has already accorded its approval for the project, an official spokesman said here today.

Some new mango varieties would be tried at this Centre, he said adding some high yielding varieties would be imported from Israel.

The Centre would facilitate establishment of new mango demonstration fields and new mango nurseries, the spokesman said.

The Haryana agriculture department is also promoting horticulture and organic farming, he said.

Taking initiative in the field of fruit production through organic farming, organic mangoes have been produced in village Kalesar in Yamunanagar district, the spokesman said.

These are now attracting consumers, mango lovers and farmers of the area.

The farmers had initiated organic farming of mangoes three years back, the spokesman said.

After three years of regular adoption of organic inputs, their mangoes were organic certified as per Indian and European standards, he said. PTI