There's nothing aam about this Baug-e-Khas

AT THIS ORCHARD, 200 MANGO VARIETIES AND COUNTING...

Son of a farmer gives up graduation midway, engages full-time in mango farming; by mastering grafting technique, increases yield of orchard from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 24 lakh per year by growing 200 varieties of Indian and international mangoes at his orchard in Gir

By Nischal Sanghavi

Content with only Kesar, Alphonso, Dasheri and Langdo mango varieties this summer? What if we told you that over 200 varieties of mangoes are available in Gujarat? The only problem: they are grown by a single farmer at his mango orchard in Gir and the quantity is not enough for all Gujaratis.

In fact, some of the varieties grown at this orchard are so rare that they will sell for Rs 4,000 per piece when its tree reaches fruition. Meet Samsudin Jariya (45) who has been into mango farming for the past 25 years after leaving graduation course midway.

Unlike most farmers, Samsudin took his passion to another level and by sheer curiosity researched varieties available world over to create a unique orchard.

The first variety he developed was a cross between Neelam and Dasheri, which he has named ‘Nileshwari’. The USP of this variety is that it does not spoil for 15 days after it fully ripens.

‘Neelphanso’, another variety he has developed, is a cross breed between Neelam and Alphonso. The new breed has the taste palate of both Neelam and Alphanso.

Sonpari is another hybrid variety he grows. Samudin, at his Anil Farm, also grows foreign varieties like Tommy Atkins, Austin, Maya, Sensation and Sensation Pride. Pusa Arunima is a cross between US-grown Sensation and Indian variety Amrapali.

The Nawabi variety

‘Dudh Pendo’ is an ancient variety that was developed by the Nawab of Junagadh. Samsudin has ensured that the traditional variety survives at his farm.


Growing the most expensive mango

Talking about his most prized mango variety, Samsudin told Mirror, “I keep researching mango varieties from all over the world. In Japan, there are only seven farmers who grow ‘Egg of Sun’. It is the most expensive mango in the world. A single fruit sells for more than Rs 4,000.”

108 varieties grow on two trees

According to Hasan Bloch, manager of the orchard, the farm has two unique trees on which 108 varieties of mangoes grow. The different types were grafted on a single tree. “Another wonder of the farm is a self-developed breed which gives a high yield. It grows in bunch of 25-30 pieces. Keitt, another variety from the US, has a purple skin unlike most mangoes that are yellow, orange or red,” he said. The Sindhu 117 breed looks like a regular mango but has no seed.

Science behind it

Samsudin, who has a deep understanding of farming, said modern science recommends growing a large variety of trees which increase chances of cross-pollination via insects. This helps in giving a larger yield. “When I learnt this fact, it encouraged me to explore new varieties. One thing led to another and the efforts paid off handsomely,” said Samsudin. In just a few years, the value of mangoes produced in his farm per annum has increased to Rs 24 lakh from just Rs 5 lakh.

At present about 80 out of 200 varieties give regular yield while the rest are under development.

Mangoes start arriving in yards

Meanwhile, Mahesh Vadodaria, Secretary of Gondal Marketing Yard, said they are receiving 42,000 boxes of 10-kg mangoes each per day.

The Talala-Gir Marketing yard receives 16,000 boxes daily, all of Kesar variety, from the region.

‘Curiosity is the best teacher’

For a farmer without formal education in farming or horticulture, Samsudin has come a long way. He left BA course and joined mango farming at the age of 20. Initially, he got practical training from his father.

He read books on grafting and devised his own techniques to cross-breed different varieties. Talking to Mirror, he said, “For someone who wants to learn, even asmall farmer can teach a lot. I met hundreds of them in Gujarat and talked to them for hours, learning new techniques. I also went to Kerala and gained knowledge about how they do mango farming. Over the years, I mastered grafting which involves tying branch of one variety on another. I had relatives and friends travelling around the world and I sourced seeds of international varieties from them. I feel curiosity is the best teacher.”

Samsudin’s Anil farm, spread across 12 acres in Bhalsan village, employs fulltime staff of 37 people led by a manager. However, he oversees every aspect of its dayto-day operations. He also owns a small hotel to cater to Gir tourists and two nurseries. A mango sapling is available in the market for Rs 50-70, but Samsudin has brought down the cost and sells it for Rs 10.