Shimla, July 18: Progressive farmers in Himachal Pradesh are now making their mark on the global stage. One such remarkable success comes from Naveen Kumar, a farmer from Dadduwala village in Vikrambagh Panchayat of Sirmaur district, who has successfully cultivated the world’s most expensive mango variety — Miyazaki. This rare fruit fetches prices in the lakhs in international markets.
Two years ago, Naveen sourced the Miyazaki saplings via courier from a private nursery in Kolkata, investing around ₹5,000 per plant. Initially planted as a trial, the two saplings have now started bearing fruit. Interestingly, the Miyazaki mango starts off as a deep purple when raw and turns a rich crimson red when ripe.
Encouraged by the success of his trial, Naveen now plans to expand into commercial cultivation of this exotic variety. He is optimistic about fetching a premium price for his produce in high-end markets such as Dehradun and Chandigarh. Beyond Miyazaki, he also aims to establish a mixed orchard with multiple premium mango varieties, citing poor returns from traditional ones.
Originally grown in the Japanese city of Miyazaki, this mango is prized for its vibrant red-purple hue, high sweetness, distinct aroma, and medicinal properties. It is a variety of the Irwin mango, first cultivated in Florida in the 1940s. Japan began growing it in the 1980s, and it later came to be known by the region it thrived in — Miyazaki.
This mango is rich in antioxidants, beta-carotene, and folic acid, and thrives in hot and humid climates. The average height of a Miyazaki plant ranges between 5 to 7 feet.
Naveen Kumar’s achievement is a source of inspiration for farmers across the hilly regions of Himachal, where traditional fruits dominate. By embracing exotic and high-value crops, farmers like him are opening up new possibilities in mountain agriculture.
