Overview
- Late May the Miyazaki tree in Tamasa village, Malkangiri district, produced ripe fruits after nearly four years of care by farmer Deba Padhiami.
- Deba is sleeping beside the tree at night to protect the harvest because media attention and the fruit’s high value have raised his fear of theft.
- He received the Miyazaki sapling from a social worker almost four years ago and has tended the exotic cultivar through changing weather and rough conditions.
- Miyazaki mangoes are prized for deep red skin, high sugar content and size and can fetch very high prices overseas but only when they meet strict appearance and sweetness standards and are packaged and transported under a cold chain.
- Deba has no established buyers or pricing knowledge and is asking agricultural experts and government officials for help to certify, package and find niche buyers such as exporters, luxury fruit traders or premium hotels.