Kalimullah Khan, who did not finish school after the seventh grade, found his calling in a family mango orchard in Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh. Today, he is known throughout India as the 'Mango Man.'
The Start of the Experiment
In 1957, he planted a tree hoping it would yield seven different mango varieties. However, a flood destroyed this planting, but the experience gained taught him valuable lessons about water and soil management.
Development of a Unique Collection
Undeterred, he continued to experiment with grafting, studying methods through trial and error until he found effective techniques for his orchard. Currently, his 22-acre orchard houses a nearly 125-year-old tree that produces over 350 varieties of mango. Each branch of this tree yields fruit with a unique taste, color, aroma, and texture.
Family Heritage and New Varieties
Padma Shri recipient Kalimullah notes that people often call him a self-taught scientist, but he believes that the trees were his teachers throughout his life. When Kalimullah's health began to decline, his son Nazimullah took over care of the orchard. Nazimullah also left school after the twelfth grade and now helps continue the long-term work.
Developing a hybrid requires great patience; Nazimullah reports that creating a single hybrid variety can take up to ten years. Their own hybrid, 'Dusheri Kalim', took twelve years to develop. The tree bears varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Langra, Dasheri, and Chaunsa, as well as hybrids named after personalities like 'Sachin Tendulkar', 'Amitabh Bachchan', 'Narendra Modi', and 'Aishwarya Rai.'
Tree Care
The family carefully monitors rainfall, drains excess water, prevents fungal attacks, and tends to every branch to ensure the survival of this exceptional tree each season. Kalimullah states that he spent his life alongside these trees, and when the time comes to leave, he wishes to be buried next to them, as his life's work contributed to preserving India's rich mango heritage.
