Dhanbad, Jharkhand
Dhanbad, widely known as the coal capital of Jharkhand, witnessed a remarkable agricultural achievement as MLA Jairam Mahato visited the agricultural research centre of Jai Dharti Maa Foundation at Dharjori Mor and harvested the world-famous Miyazaki mango, popularly known as Japan’s “Red Diamond.”
The premium Miyazaki mango is considered one of the world’s most expensive varieties of mango and is reported to command prices of approximately ₹2.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh per kilogram in international markets. Its successful cultivation in Dhanbad has drawn attention to the immense possibilities of high-value horticulture and modern agricultural practices in Jharkhand.
The achievement has been made possible through the continuous efforts of Jai Dharti Maa Foundation and its founder, Ravi Kumar Nishad, who has been working for the past 15 years in the fields of agriculture, environmental conservation, and rural empowerment.
The Miyazaki mangoes cultivated at the foundation’s research centre have been grown using natural and organic farming methods, without chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Techniques including Jeevamrit and mulching have been used to promote healthy and sustainable cultivation.
More than 50 Miyazaki mango plants established at Sondaha, Rajganj, have now started producing fruits, marking an encouraging milestone for the foundation’s agricultural research and experimentation.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Jairam Mahato said, “The land of Jharkhand has immense potential for success in agriculture. Today, we have witnessed this potential with our own eyes at the agricultural research centre of Jai Dharti Maa Foundation in Dhanbad. It has been proven that Dhanbad, which is famous for coal, can also shine through fruit cultivation with the dedicated efforts of Ravi Kumar Nishad.”
JKL(M) Central Spokesperson Sunil Mandal highlighted the importance of agricultural training at the grassroots level. He said that agricultural training workshops are urgently needed in every panchayat of Dhanbad and appreciated the foundation for providing such training at a nominal fee of just ₹1. He expressed confidence that the initiative could become a model for the entire state and help farmers move towards greater self-reliance.
District Scheduled Tribe Officer Sudhir Hembram stated that the foundation has been continuously working for the upliftment of tribal communities for the past 15 years and has been conducting agricultural training workshops for just ₹1.
According to Ravi Kumar Nishad, the Miyazaki cultivation initiative is not merely about harvesting an expensive fruit but carries a larger message for farmers. He believes that even farmers with small landholdings can explore high-value horticulture and create better economic opportunities through scientific and sustainable farming.
Ravi Kumar Nishad further announced that the foundation plans to provide Miyazaki mango cultivation training to 17,500 farmers through agricultural training workshops at a nominal fee of ₹1.
He expressed his vision with the words, “When Mother Earth gives, she gives abundantly.”
The programme was attended by District President Anil Kevat, District Vice-President Bhola Nishad, District Scheduled Caste and Tribe representative Sudhir Hembram, District Programme Officer Mohammad Shamsher Ali, District Secretary Sahdev Mahto, Manager Ram Kumar Mallah, Shivam Kumar, along with several farmers and supporters.
The successful cultivation of Miyazaki mangoes in Dhanbad represents a promising example of agricultural innovation and demonstrates the potential of Jharkhand to emerge as a major centre for high-value fruit cultivation.