In the middle of the greenery of the Park of the Próceres and under the sweet aroma of mature mangós, the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez (Rum) was recognized with the prestigious award He honeted. The distinction celebrates its impressive collection of more than 87 varieties of this tropical fruit, consolidating its scientific leadership among the Caribbean agricultural culture.
The awards at the Mangó Festival is no accident. Since its agricultural experimental station and its agricultural extension service, the Rum has been the protagonist in the research and preservation of the mangós, becoming an academic and agricultural reference in the region.
“The golden mango recognizes not only the vast scientific collection of the University, but also its generous commitment to the community and agricultural culture of Puerto Rico,” he said Lynette Matosorganizer of the event.
During the three days of the festival, In the Rum, interactive workshops were offered on planting, graft, nutrition and handling. In addition, he put fruit trees on sale and presented part of his invaluable collection, attracting hundreds of people interested in learning about the fruit that so many flavors and memories evokes in the west.
One of the most outstanding moments of the event was the elaboration of the world’s largest manger jam, Made with 904 pounds of fruit donated by the Mayagüez and Agro Mango pr enclosure. This monumental creation seeks to establish a new record Guinnessreaffirming the leadership of the institution in agricultural and community initiatives, according to the organizer.
Throughout last weekend, the enclosure maintained an active presence with educational modules and exhibitions by the Experimental Station, the Extension Service, the Selected Seed Program, and other university initiatives oriented to sustainable agricultural development.
In addition, the Mangó 2025 festival brought together thousands of visitors from all over the island and even outside. Among them, Sonia Irizarry, who traveled from Nebraska exclusively to attend the event.
The festival, which highlights the taste and cultural value of the mango, also offered a family atmosphere with interactive areas such as the Inflatable Safari, Story Reading, Exhibition of “Champions Trees”, and the participation of more than 30 local artisanswho showed the talent and art produced in Mayagüez.
With this distinction, the course hopes to reaffirm its place in the history of the mango in Puerto Rico and project their vision towards a future in which science, tradition and community are intertwined to continue reaping achievements.
You can read the MANGó Recipe here.