The Mango That Made Everyone Stop and Stare
A mango festival in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, had one attraction that overshadowed everything else on display: the Miyazaki mango, a Japanese variety carrying a price tag of approximately Rs 3 lakh per kilogram. For most visitors, that figure was simply hard to believe. Crowds gathered around the stall, taking photographs and asking every question they could think of about a fruit most had only ever heard about. Compared with mangoes available at any ordinary market, the price difference was almost impossible to comprehend.
Why the District Administration Organised the Festival
The district administration chose the DMC Mall premises near Bank Mor as the venue for this mango festival, a busy location deliberately selected to maximise footfall for participating farmers. The core purpose was twofold: to cut out the middlemen and establish a direct channel between farmers and their customers, and to give local agricultural produce a platform it rarely enjoys. Dozens of mango varieties were on display and available for purchase throughout the event, though none commanded as much attention as the Miyazaki.
What Makes the Miyazaki Mango Worth Rs 3 Lakh Per Kg
Miyazaki is the name of a city in Japan where this exceptional variety is cultivated in significant quantities. Agricultural expert Ravi Kumar Nishad, who grows Miyazaki mangoes himself, explained that the fruit is packed with several medicinal properties. It is precisely that combination of rarity and health value that has built extraordinary demand for it in international markets, driving its price far beyond what any conventional mango could ever fetch.
Ravi Kumar Nishad: Farmer, Expert and Conservationist
Ravi Kumar Nishad's contributions extend well beyond his mango orchards. He is also the founder of the Jay Dharti Maa Foundation, an organisation that has set itself the ambitious goal of planting one crore trees for environmental conservation. The foundation has already crossed the three lakh sapling mark. Nishad also makes a point of spreading awareness among other farmers about advanced and newer crop varieties, firmly believing that farmers can meaningfully grow their incomes only when they understand the possibilities that such varieties open up.
Farmers Welcome the Direct-to-Consumer Opportunity
Participating farmers spoke warmly about the district administration's decision to host the event. Their consistent message was that festivals of this kind allow them to bring their produce directly to buyers without relying on intermediaries, which translates into better prices at the farm end. Several farmers confirmed that their sales during the festival had been strong.
Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan Inaugurates the Event
Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan and the SSP formally opened the mango festival by cutting a ribbon. The Deputy Commissioner highlighted that the festival's primary aim was to forge a direct connection between farmers and the public. He noted that holding the event at the busy Bank Mor location had given farmers an excellent opportunity to reach a large number of potential buyers. He also pointed out that organically grown products on display had been receiving a very enthusiastic response from visitors.
A Full Range of Mango Varieties for Every Taste and Budget
While the Miyazaki's price put it well out of reach for most buyers, the festival had plenty to offer at every budget. Langda, Amrapali, Sindoori, Malda, Bhagalpuri, and Dashehari were among the dozens of varieties available for purchase alongside the prized Japanese cultivar. Each brought its own distinct flavour, fragrance, and quality, drawing consistent appreciation from buyers throughout the event. For mango enthusiasts, it was a rare chance to explore such remarkable diversity, all under one roof and in one visit.
