From Japan to HP: Sirmaur farmer cultivates world’s ‘costliest’ mango

Mango cultivation in Himachal Pradesh has taken a mega turn. A Sirmaur-based farmer claimed to have successfully grown the most expensive mango in the world — ‘Miyazaki’ variety from Japan.

Naveen Kumar of Dadduwala village near Paonta Sahib claims to be cultivating ‘Miyazaki’ variety. Once validated by the Horticulture Department, the achievement can mark a new chapter in experimental horticulture in the mid-hills of the state.

Known for their deep red to purplish hue and exceptional sweetness, ‘Miyazaki’ mango can fetch up to Rs 3 lakh per kg in international markets. Developed in Japan during the 1980s from the Irwin mango introduced from Florida, this exotic fruit is generally cultivated in tropical climates.

Naveen’s journey began two years ago after he came to know about ‘Miyazaki’ mangoes on social media.

Intrigued, he began researching online and eventually ordered two saplings from West Bengal. “I found out about this mango variety through social media and then traced the saplings to a nursery in West Bengal,” Naveen shared.

The young saplings planted in his garden, began producing fruit within just two years. The sample yield includes five to six mangoes with a combined weight of around 2 kg.

The ripening process of ‘Miyazaki’ mangoes is as unique as their origin. The raw fruit bears a rich purplish skin, which gradually turns bright red as it matures — a key indicator of its peak ripeness and flavour.

His experiments are not limited to ‘Miyazaki’ mangoes. Naveen has also introduced several other lesser-known but equally exotic mango varieties from different parts of the world. These include American cultivars like Red Palmer and Red Ivory, as well as tropical favourites like Red and Yellow Banana Mango, Chakkapat from Thailand and the aromatic Nam Dok Mai, often regarded as Thailand’s finest mango.

Santosh Bakshi, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Sirmaur, says, “Only those fruit varieties which have undergone official trials at Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni are promoted by the department. We cannot endorse or confirm the authenticity or viability of any other varieties.”

The department says that the ‘Miyazaki’ mango cultivated by Naveen has not undergone official trials or validation through the horticulture research framework.

Himachal Tribune