TNR News Network
SHIMLA: In a remarkable feat of horticulture, a farmer from Dadduwala village in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh has successfully grown Miyazaki mangoes, the world’s most expensive mango variety priced as high as Rs 3 lakh per kg in the international market.
Naveen Kumar, the innovative farmer behind this achievement, imported the exotic mango saplings two years ago and has now seen them bear fruit, marking a first for the region.
Taste of Japan in Himachal: The Story of Miyazaki mangoes
Miyazaki mangoes hail from Miyazaki city in Japan and are famous for their deep red to purple colour, exquisite sweetness and rare nutritional profile. Originally a variety of the Irwin mango cultivated in Florida in the 1940s, Miyazaki mangoes were introduced in Japan in the 1980s. Over time, they became known not just for their unique look but also their high antioxidant content, beta-carotene and folic acid levels.
They thrive in warm and humid climates, making them a challenging crop for Indian terrains. However, regions like West Bengal and now parts of Himachal are seeing experimental success with the variety.
From Kolkata to Sirmaur: How the saplings reached the hills
Naveen Kumar sourced the Miyazaki saplings from a nursery in Kolkata, paying ₹5,000 per plant, including courier charges. Initially planted on a trial basis, two to three saplings were nurtured in his garden. To his delight, they began fruiting within two years, an unusual feat for such an exotic variety.
“The raw fruit has a purplish tinge and turns a deep red when ripe. Now that the trial has succeeded, I plan to develop an entire orchard of these mangoes,” said Kumar.
Naveen isn’t stopping with just Miyazaki mangoes. He has also successfully cultivated other rare international mango varieties like American Red Palmer, Red Ivory, Red Banana Mango, Yellow Banana Mango, Chakkapat, and Nam Dok Mai.
With growing interest in exotic fruits among Indian consumers, Naveen hopes to target premium markets in cities like Dehradun and Chandigarh, where he expects strong demand and high returns for these elite fruits.
“His success could open doors for more farmers in the hilly regions to experiment with high-value horticulture and perhaps turn Himachal into an unexpected hub for the world’s priciest mango,” said a farm activist.
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