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After
his post graduation Ashok entered his father's traditional business
of Alphonso (Hapus) Mango. His father, Mr. Kisanrao Nathuji Hande,
a big name in the business, had no less than 50 years of experience
behind him.The family has their own firm of selling mangoes, M/s.
Kisanrao Nathuji Hande.
When
it was Ashok's turn to enter the flourishing business, he took up
the challenge and changed the entire approach. The business became
more tech-savy and the family started using the most advanced and
professional tecnology and quickly re-asserted their number one
position in the market.
Ashok
has inherited the knack of running the business. To this, he has
added his own knowledge and today is one of the leading mango merchants
in Mumbai.
The
research oriented mind of Ashok works on several issues besides
the mango trade. It won't be an exaggeration to state that he is
literally a walking encyclopedia on the subject.
Throughout
the year, he spends considerable time in studying trees, the new
varieties of the fruit and visits every Alphonso growing village
in Konkan (Maharashtra) and Balsad (Gujarat) belt.
He has studied the process of cultivating Alphonso, knows about
the pesticides and fertilisers which are to be used and is a master
of the transportation policy required to bring the fruit to the
wholesale markets. He also has the practical knowledge needed to
sell the fruit to the retailers in local markets, to the wholesalers
at the national level and to the exporters in the international
markets like the Middle East, Europe, Singapore, Australia etc.
Having
a technical know-how in marketing all over the world, Ashok has
been able to describe the true and feasible ripening procedure (the
key to the Alphonso business), added with the scientific and practical
knowledge of processing units (canned mango products), pre-cooling,
cold storage and vapour heat treatment (VHT), packing house, export-import
documentation and procedures.
No
wonder he truly loves Alphonso and is literally ruling the Alphonso
business in Mumbai. He is also eager to give consultancy about Alphonso,
a subject which is close to his heart.
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