Story of a Mango Farmer

7 years back, Arifa Rafee did not know farming. Nothing, nada. She was a teacher and then a banker. Till the land called her and her husband. The natural way is what she zeroed in, in spite of the many chemical recommendations from scientist-consultants. The soil is poor, said a horticulture officer. Get new soil. 

But she used Farm Yard Manure and rejuvenated.  Then when her baby mango trees grew up, the officers said—iron deficiency. Like a new mother, she worried and called for experts. The expert wouldn’t come to an organic farm (pointless he thought). But he did finally and declared them “obese.” She learnt how to give just enough.

And then when the trees bore their first fruit, she climbed ladders and personally cut each fruit. And desapped and washed and laid them to ripen. And then packed each one by hand. To deliver to the orders that came through the website that the family had set up (http://www.ar4mangoes.com/).

This year in Jan their trees flourished with flowers. Excited they made plans for the bumper crop. But winter came back. And then unseasonal rains. And then hailstones pelted the baby fruits. Only 30% crop remained. They called off the tie-ups and settled in for a rough ride.

Till Eenadu published an article about them. And the website counter rocked. And the phones rang. 

She and her three children now became customer care representatives—talking to 4000+ customers, pacifying those who still transacted as if mangoes were plastic tupperware—each to be perfect, round, similar and immediate. Gently she explained: these are natural products. Delivery is based on when they are harvested and ready. Mangoes differ from each other—in size and shape. Mangoes have a particular time when they ripen and when they must be consumed. There are mango varieties—you cannot expect the behavior of Baiganapally from a Mallika. She managed to pacify most.

The mango season is coming to an end. I asked her how she feels at the end of a season. She says she feels low to look up at the trees that grew before her eyes--flowered and fruited--now standing silent barren. That last season she talked to each one of them and said “Thank you.”

She said: Thank you for giving us the fruits. Now it is time for me to give you back—rejuvenate the soils, nourish your tree-body, prune away your troubles.

And thus she welcomes rest of the year.

Did I tell you I am in love with this farmer?

(Note: Some pics courtesy: AR4 Organic Mangoes fb page)