Meet Joseph Lobo, The Farmer Cultivating Rs 3 Lakh-Per-Kg Mangoes In His Own Garden
A farmer from Shankarapura in Udupi has pulled off a sweet surprise by growing Japan¡¯s famous Miyazaki mangoes right in his own terrace garden. And guess what? He¡¯s grinning ear to ear because a single kilogram of these mangoes is fetching him a whopping Rs 3 lakh! Who knew farming could be this lucrative?
A farmer from Shankarapura in Udupi has pulled off a sweet surprise by growing Japan's famous Miyazaki mangoes right in his own terrace garden. And guess what? He's grinning ear to ear because a single kilogram of these mangoes is fetching him a whopping Rs 3 lakh! Who knew farming could be this lucrative?
Lobo's attempts to cultivate Miyazaki mangoes
Joseph Lobo, hailing from Udupi, is an innovative farmer specialising in landscape design and farm revitalisation.
Three years ago, he took a bold step by planting a Miyazaki mango sapling - known to be the world's most expensive mango - aiming to bring a taste of Japan to his hometown.
Joseph Lobo with his Miyazaki mangoes/ BCCL
Despite challenges along the way, Lobo's perseverance has paid off. The Miyazaki mangoes in his garden, similar in size to the 'Mallika' variety, have begun to bear fruit after a year of disappointing blossoms.
However, nature's unpredictability posed another hurdle this year. Despite signs of success with the emergence of around seven fruits, unfavorable weather conditions, particularly rainfall in January, threatened the fruiting process once more.
Also read: Not Only World's Most Expensive Miyazaki Mango, Tripura Produces A Total Of 40 Varieties
Undeterred by setbacks, Lobo has diversified his terrace garden to include an array of exotic fruits like white Java plum, Brazilian cherries, and Taiwan oranges, drawing inspiration from their successful cultivation in Gulf countries.
What is the Miyazaki mango and why is it so expensive?
The Miyazaki mango originated in Miyazaki city, nestled in Japan's Kyushu prefecture.
Weighing in at a hefty 350 grams or more, this fruit boasts a sugar content of 15% or higher, making it a true delight for the taste buds.
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Cultivating this prized variety demands ample sunshine and warm, abundant rainfall to thrive.
What sets the Miyazaki mango apart is not just its size and sweetness but also its nutritional value. Packed with beta-carotene, folic acid, and a wealth of antioxidants, it earns its reputation as a healthful indulgence.
In Japan, it goes by the charming moniker "Egg of the Sun," or Taiyo-no-Tamago, for its radiant, ruby-red hue.
However, it's cultivation in coastal regions present a unique challenge, with salinity and humidity altering the fruit's color.
Yet, Joseph Lobo remains undeterred, expressing confidence to TOI that future harvests will yield improvements in color quality. With his determination and expertise, Lobo's journey promises an evolution, ensuring the Miyazaki mango flourishes even in the face of coastal conditions.
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