SURI: Miyazaki, a rare variety of mango from Japan that is among the costliest in the world — with a 700gm pair sold for $3,700 in 2017 (over Rs 2.4 lakh at then exchange rates) — has been found growing at a mosque compound in Bengal’s Birbhum district.
One mango from the Gausia Mosque in Dubrajpur was sold on Friday for Rs 10,600.
Kazi Abu Taleb, the president of the mosque management committee, said: “A youth from our neighbourhood, Syed Nizamuddin, brought and planted the sapling a couple of years ago. He died a year ago and no one knows where he got the sapling from. Earlier, no one knew about this species. But this year, the ripe red fruits drew the attention of everyone.”
The tree now has nine mangoes, including the one auctioned off Friday. Mirza Izaz Beig, a local businessman, bought the fruit. Every Friday, the mosque committee will sell one of the mangoes. “It is our duty to nurture this tree,” a local, Seikh Oli Mahammad, said. Samarendra Nath Khanra, state horticulture deputy director, vouched for the Miyazaki variety. “I have seen the photos. It is also called the ‘Egg of the Sun’ mango. It is top-rated in terms of beauty, price, weight, aroma and taste.”
One mango from the Gausia Mosque in Dubrajpur was sold on Friday for Rs 10,600.
Kazi Abu Taleb, the president of the mosque management committee, said: “A youth from our neighbourhood, Syed Nizamuddin, brought and planted the sapling a couple of years ago. He died a year ago and no one knows where he got the sapling from. Earlier, no one knew about this species. But this year, the ripe red fruits drew the attention of everyone.”
The tree now has nine mangoes, including the one auctioned off Friday. Mirza Izaz Beig, a local businessman, bought the fruit. Every Friday, the mosque committee will sell one of the mangoes. “It is our duty to nurture this tree,” a local, Seikh Oli Mahammad, said. Samarendra Nath Khanra, state horticulture deputy director, vouched for the Miyazaki variety. “I have seen the photos. It is also called the ‘Egg of the Sun’ mango. It is top-rated in terms of beauty, price, weight, aroma and taste.”
