New Delhi: An orchardist couple from Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur Rani and Sankalp Parihar planted two saplings on their farm about a year ago, and expected them to grow like the other orchards.
However, the duo had no idea that the plants would grow up and bear rare ruby-coloured mangoes. Actually, the unusual fruits are Japanese mangoes named Miyazaki, also tagged as ‘world’s most expensive mangoes’.
As the word spread about the rare exotic fruit in the small town, some local thieves had once broken into the Parihar couple’s property to steal the fruits. Hence, the duo has now hired 4 security guards, along with 4 german shepherds to protect the orchards.
Mr Parihar told that the thieves stole the mangoes, but the trees were saved somehow, and that’s when they decided to take measures to protect the rare plants.
About Miyazaki
The Japanese mango is also termed as ‘Eggs of Sunshine’ because of its egg-like shape and purple/flaming red colour. It name comes from the Miyazaki city of Japan, where it originated and is grown for ages.
The mango, that wieghs about 350 grams at an average, is in demand throughout the world for being rich in beta-carotene, folic acid and antioxidants.
The Miyazaki mangoes are grown during the peak harvest season which lasts upto August.
How did the couple got Mangoes?
Mr Parihar told Hindustan Times that sometime back, he was on his way to Chennai to buy some saplings, where he met a man on the train who offered him some Miyazaki mango saplings.
“He offered some saplings to me and further asked to take care of these plants like our babies. We planted the saplings in the orchard without even knowing what these plants will produce”, Mr Parihar said.
Parihar couple about selling the Mangoes
Mr Parihar’s wife Rani told that various businessmen and fruit sellers have contacted them and have offered to pay upto Rs 21,000 for one piece of the rare mango.
She further told that a jeweler from Mumbai had also contacted them to pay any price they quote for their mangoes, but the couple have clarified to all that they won’t sell it to anyone.
“We want to use the fruits to grow more plants”, she added.