In Udupi, gardener Joseph Lobo cultivates the famous Miyaji mango, which can bring in income of up to 3 lakh per kilogram. Although he always wanted to farm, a family dispute over land prevented him from starting.
Terrace as a Garden
Instead of giving up, he decided to use his terrace, turning it into his dream garden. By acquiring new knowledge through YouTube videos and conducting numerous experiments, Joseph gradually filled his terrace with fruit trees, flowering plants, and vegetables, proving that realizing a hobby requires space, not vast fields.
Plant Diversity
Today, his rooftop hosts over 200 types of plants, including mummy fruits, chikoo, and mango, as well as 32 jasmine plants, three of which are grown using hydroponics. After successfully growing several rare fruits, he decided to try something even more unusual—the Miyaji mango, despite knowing the difficulty of growing it in India.
Discovery of Harvest Value
The Miyaji tree finally bore fruit after three and a half years. Initially, Joseph and his family simply enjoyed the mango they had waited so long for. The truth about the immense value of these fruits was only revealed after a guest visited his garden. According to the gardener, it was a reporter from a news publication who covered his terrace farm and learned about the mango's value.
Care Methods and Plans
The gardener fertilizes his plants with homemade fertilizer made from cow dung, sheep manure, yogurt, and food waste. To combat pests, he avoids chemicals, instead using neem oil. Despite the astonishing cost, Joseph does not intend to sell the mango, stating that it is intended for his family and friends. Instead, he shares grafted saplings with other gardeners.
