Julie, starch, curry, chow — the fruit of the tropical tree Mangifera indica is such an integral part of Trinidad and Tobago cuisine that it is part of our culture. A local crop agronomist and scholar has made a major contribution to a definitive text on this beloved fruit. Mr Evans Ramkhelawan is the principal author of the chapter on mangoes in Trinidad and Tobago and the section on varieties of mangoes in T&T in the massive, 11-book work titled The Mango Tree Encyclopedia. He donated the complete set to The UWI’s Alma Jordan Library (AJL) at a handover ceremony.
The Mango Tree Encyclopedia, consisting of six volumes, is an in-depth survey of mango tree cultivation and varieties. It was commissioned and funded by the Government of Oman following a royal directive from the late ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
“We are very pleased to receive this generous donation from Mr Ramkhelawan,” said Dr Shamin Renwick, the acting Campus Librarian at AJL. “This meticulous work of scholarship will now be stored in the Science and Agriculture section of the library where information can be accessed by scholars and readers from around the globe. It provides a wealth of information on every aspect of mangoes, and will be an invaluable resource for researchers, farmers and others.”
Mr Ramkhelawan’s contribution to the encyclopedia was the product of two years of intensive work, supported by staff from Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Agriculture (where he worked previously as a director). A graduate of UWI St Augustine, he received both his undergraduate and master’s degree at the campus in General Agriculture and Crop Science, respectively.
He is a tree-crop agronomist, specialising in coconut production technology and pomology, which deals with the study and cultivation of fruits. He is also a weed scientist, crop valuator, and registered farmer.
The Government of Oman commissioned The Mango Tree Encyclopedia due to the country’s great diversity in mango seeds, which has led to enormous variation in the colour and shape of the fruit, making them difficult to characterise and breed. In addition, severe genetic erosion due to salinity, drought, diseases and changes in land use necessitated the need for conservation. It was published in 2015.
For more information on The Mango Tree Encyclopedia, and on visiting the Alma Jordan Library, go to libraries.sta.uwi.edu/ajl/
