Miyazaki Mangoes Grown by Joseph Lobo Mark Ist Indian to Achieve Terrace Cultivation Success
Joseph Lobo's Terrace Farming Revolution: Growing Rare Miyazaki Mangoes in India
Joseph Lobo, a former driver from Udupi, Karnataka, made headlines on October 18, 2024, for his remarkable achievement in cultivating the rare and expensive Miyazaki mango variety on his terrace garden. This innovative terrace farming venture has significant implications for urban development in India, offering a potential solution for high-value crop production in urban areas due to rapid urbanization leading to a reduction in natural land.
Lobo's success story began in 2020 when he transformed his 1,200-square-foot rooftop into a nursery filled with over 350 different plant varieties, including Miyazaki mangoes, white Java plums, Brazilian cherries, and Taiwanese oranges. His commitment to biodiversity is evident in the diverse environment he has created on his rooftop.
The Miyazaki mango, also known as "Egg Mango" for its unique shape, is highly coveted for its exquisite taste and premium price tag, ranging from ₹2.5 to ₹3 lakh per kilogram. Lobo's achievement in growing this exotic fruit has attracted clients from various metropolitan areas such as Kolkata, Bangalore, Mangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Gujarat, and Delhi.
Innovative Terrace Farming Techniques
Lobo's approach to farming involves best practices that have contributed to his success. He grows the plants in grow bags filled with a nutrient-rich soil mix made by combining equal parts of his homemade organic fertilizer and soil. His homemade mixture includes cow dung, sheep manure, vegetable waste, and curd, providing a balanced organic nutrient base essential for healthy growth.
Lobo manages to grow mango trees on three-fourths of an acre on his terrace, the equivalent of what many grow on a full acre of land. This highlights efficient space utilization, critical for terrace and urban farming. Without initial knowledge of the mango variety’s premium market value, he treated the Miyazaki mango plant using the same care as his other terrace plants like chikoo and berries. This suggests he adapted existing terrace farming methods to successfully nurture this exotic variety in an otherwise non-native climate.
Overcoming Challenges
Cultivating the Miyazaki mango on a terrace requires careful environmental control and adaptation due to its specific climatic requirements. Lobo faced challenges during his efforts to produce Miyazaki mangoes, including negative weather patterns that affected typical growth. Despite these challenges, his patience and dedication paid off, as it took about three and a half years for the plant to start yielding fruit.
Future Aspirations
Lobo's future aspirations include growing his deck garden further, researching different street-side cultivation methods, and collaborating with developing colleges and research foundations. He also offers Miyazaki mango saplings for sale at a price of ₹2,500 each, aiming to inspire others to follow in his footsteps.
Lobo's inspiring example serves as a valuable resource for aspiring farmers and urban dwellers, demonstrating the potential of limited spaces for high-value crop production. His innovative approach to farming and commitment to biodiversity have made him a beacon of hope for sustainable urban agriculture in India.
[1] The Better India, "Meet the Man Who Grows Miyazaki Mangoes on His Terrace in Udupi," The Better India, 2022.
[2] Deccan Herald, "Udupi Man Grows Rare Miyazaki Mangoes on Terrace," Deccan Herald, 2022.
- Joseph Lobo's innovative terrace farming of Miyazaki mangoes in India presents an investment opportunity for sustainable agriculture, particularly suitable for urban areas, given the reduction in natural land due to rapid urbanization called climate-change.
- In the realm of organic farming, Lobo's approach to urban gardening, utilizing a soil mix of home-made organic fertilizer and soil, epitomizes the principles of sustainable agriculture and sustainable-living.
- Lobo's successful cultivation of the exotic Miyazaki mango on his terrace highlights environmental science and technology's role in adapting agricultural practices to non-native climates, expanding food-and-drink options in urban settings.
- Apart from growing Miyazaki mangoes, his terrace farmland hosts an array of plant varieties, promoting biodiversity and enhancing his lifestyle.
- Lobo's future endeavors, which include collaboration with educational institutions, research into street-side cultivation methods, and the sale of Miyazaki mango saplings, aim to inspire others towards organic farming and contribute to advancements in environmental-science.
