Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 16: Internationally acclaimed kite artist Sarvesh Rao is making waves in an entirely different field—exotic fruit cultivation. At his nursery in Kuloor, Mangaluru, Rao is successfully growing foreign fruit varieties using innovative grafting techniques, challenging long-held beliefs about the limitations of coastal Karnataka’s soil and climate.

Well-known for representing India at international kite festivals, Rao has now turned his attention to horticulture, grafting scions—small shoots collected during his travels—onto local rootstocks. His nursery boasts an impressive range of exotic fruit-bearing trees, including unique varieties of jackfruit from Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia that are drawing attention for their unusual shapes and taste.

Among his most notable achievements is the successful cultivation of nine exotic mango varieties from Thailand, such as Renosaurus, Machanok, Nam Doc Mai, Red Ivory, and Mangkhut. Several of these have already begun to bear fruit—remarkably, in grow bags rather than open ground.

"Importing entire saplings is restricted, so I collect only scion wood and graft them here," Rao explained. "With this method, I have been able to grow a wide variety of foreign fruits in local conditions."

Rao’s work not only showcases his innovative spirit but is also inspiring fellow growers, proving that with the right knowledge and dedication, exotic fruits can flourish even in local Indian soil.