Meet Kishan Suman— a dexterous farmer, innovator and inventor from Kota, Rajasthan. As an agriculturist, Suman always wanted to try new and unconventional technologies: something different from traditional farming in India. He decided to test his luck in mango plantation. Around 17 years back, Kishan identified a mango tree in his orchard that bloomed all round the year. It was rather strange because mangoes usually bloom in the months of December (South India), January (East India) and February to March (North India). Contrary to this, Suman’s “special mango tree” bloomed in all three seasons that is winter (January to February), monsoon (June to July) and autumn (September to October).
Thrilled by this discovery, Suman thought of grafting its stem elsewhere to test its fruit producing capacity. He planted the Sadabahar mango (an evergreen variety) on 4 bighas of his agricultural land. To his surprise, the plants displayed a healthy growth pattern. He grafted 300 saplings from 22 mother plants in his orchard. The newly grafted sapling blossomed into beautiful young trees that bore fruit in the second year.
Following extensive field studies, Suman discovered that his saplings were immune to common diseases and disorders of mangoes. To top it, Sadabhar mangoes are draft varieties (inheriting recessive genes for tallness from the mother plant), which is why they can be grown in regular flower pots. After a few more trials, it was established that evergreen mango variety is suitable for high density plantations. They bear fruits throughout the year and easily adapt to climatic changes.
Over the years, Suman enjoyed sweet fruits of his labour and accumulated sizeable profits from its sale. Soon, the popularity of his mangoes reached the capital city of India. His innovation was recognised by Indian President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, who felicitated Suman with a prestigious award at the National Innovation Foundation’s Exhibition organised in Delhi.
The president invited him to plant his evergreen mango trees in lush green Mughal Gardens surrounding the Rashtrapati Bhavan— a golden opportunity for small-scale farmer like Suman. His life drastically changed after this. Today, after a span of nearly 17 years, Kishan Suman is a national supplier of Sadabahar mango trees. He has successfully delivered his saplings to Haryana, Delhi and Chhattisgarh.
Currently, he’s in the process of getting his variety patented in the international market. Suman’s success story is an inspiration for other Indian farmers, who’re sceptical about offbeat experimentation in agriculture. There’s no limit to innovation, hard work and creativity. One should go ahead and test different theories to accomplish success. That’s what Suman has to say to his fellow farmers in Rajasthan.
He anxiously looks forward to GRAM Kota, the sequel to Rajasthan Government’s immensely popular Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet 2016. GRAM 2017, scheduled from May 24th to 26th 2017, provides a global platform for hundreds of farmers like Suman; who’re waiting for the right chance to promote their innovation and inspire others for the same.
In case you’re planning to attend Kota GRAM 2017, don’t forget to meet Suman and hundrends of other farmers from Rajasthan. You might discover really interesting stories in rural Rajasthan.
