As the summer season draws near, mango lovers across the country eagerly look forward to indulging in their favourite seasonal treats. From the rich and creamy Alphonso (Hapus) to the tangy Pairi, the juicy Lalbagh, and the vibrant Keshar, these beloved varieties dominate local markets and dining tables. Mangoes are not just fruits in India; they`re a celebration of flavour, nostalgia, and tradition, enjoyed in everything from fresh slices to pickles, milkshakes, desserts, and regional delicacies.
However, one farmer in Pune has elevated his passion for mangoes to an international level, cultivating rare and exotic varieties, including the globally renowned Miyazaki mango from Japan, reported news agency ANI.
Farooq Inamdar, a farmer and former local politician hailing from Varvand village in the Pune district of Maharashtra, has successfully cultivated 120 mango trees on merely 20 gunthas (equivalent to half an acre) of land. Of these, 90 trees bear international varieties, while 30 are indigenous to India.
Among his cherished collection is the Miyazaki mango, acclaimed for its exorbitant price, commanding as much as Rs 2.7 lakh per kilogram in Japan and approximately Rs 1.5 lakh per kilogram in India, reported ANI.
Inamdar`s journey toward cultivating these rare species began during a pilgrimage to the Hajj, where he witnessed a vast selection of mangoes from around the world. Inspired, he imported saplings from various countries and began growing them on his farm in Pune.
Two years later, the trees have successfully borne fruit, with his farm now hosting global varieties such as Red African, Red Taiwan, Arunika, Banana Mango, A2 R2 from Australia, Katomoni and Shahjahan from Bangladesh, and the sought-after Miyazaki.
While most exotic mangoes command several thousand rupees per kilo, Miyazaki stands out for its premium pricing. A single kilo contains four to six mangoes, each weighing approximately 300 grams.
According to ANI, Inamdar also highlighted another high-yielding tree, “Koyatur,” which produces 8-10 kilos of mangoes per season and fetches prices between Rs1,500 and Rs5,000 per fruit.
Encouraged by his success, he plans to expand his efforts by cultivating even more rare mango varieties worldwide. Inamdar also clarified that although he is getting several demands from online buyers for his mangoes, he decided to use all the mangoes this time for his consumption.
(With ANI inputs)
Leave a Reply