Daijiworld Media Network – Vijayapura
Vijayapura, Sep 23: For most people, mangoes are considered a summer fruit available only for a limited period. But in Shivangi village of Vijayapura district, farmer Naveen Manganavar has successfully cultivated a Thailand mango variety that yields fruit throughout the year, offering him steady income and recognition.
Mahendra Mirajkar, a resident of Solapur in Maharashtra, often visits Naveen’s farm, not just during the summer but even during the monsoon season. In August this year, Mirajkar specially came to Vijayapura to purchase the mangoes as a surprise gift for his son who lives in the USA and loves mangoes. He explained, “My son is very fond of mangoes. Normally, we courier boxes during the summer season, but this time when he visited India in August, I wanted to surprise him with his favourite fruit.”
Forty-five-year-old Naveen recalls that after completing his graduation, he worked in a network marketing company in Bengaluru. In 2011, he visited Thailand and was astonished to see fresh mangoes being sold in December. Curious, he studied their farming methods and visited Thailand six more times in the following years to deepen his knowledge. With exposure to nearly 50 varieties of mangoes grown across seasons in Thailand, Naveen decided to experiment in his own village.
Initially, his dream was met with scepticism. Family members and relatives thought it was unrealistic to grow Thailand mangoes in the soil and weather conditions of Vijayapura. Yet, Naveen remained determined. After nearly a decade of study and preparation, he finally brought 1,000 saplings from Thailand and planted them in his seven-acre farmland in 2021.
The journey was not easy—about 350 saplings failed to adapt and dried up. However, Naveen persisted by relying solely on organic inputs like cow dung and vermicomposting, avoiding chemical fertilizers. Gradually, the remaining trees began to flourish.
The results have been promising. Within the first year, yields were encouraging, and in the second year, production improved significantly. Each 4-5 feet tree produced at least two dozen mangoes, and now Naveen expects yields of six to seven dozen per tree in the coming years. Presently, with around 3,000 trees, he harvests 10 to 12 dozen mangoes daily and sells them directly to customers rather than wholesale markets.
“The specialty of this mango is that it ripens naturally on the tree, without any chemicals. Its aroma, sweetness, and flavour are exceptional,” Naveen explained.
Naveen emphasizes organic practices. “I do not use chemical fertilizers or growth promoters. I want to provide healthy, chemical-free fruits to customers and set an example for other farmers about the benefits of organic farming,” he said.
Today, Naveen’s farm has become a center of attraction for fruit lovers, fellow farmers, agricultural students, and researchers. Groups frequently visit to learn about his methods. Sharing his knowledge openly, Naveen encourages others to adopt the model. “A farmer can start Thailand mango cultivation with just Rs 1 lac. If more farmers grow these mangoes year-round, it could transform the agricultural economy of our district,” he said.