Hiren Kumar Bose

In an effort to popularise the cultivation of the fruit in Maharashtra, Desai has raised a nursery as well.

“I feel blessed that I have been worthy of my village. My savings have been wiped out, but I am confident that once my crops begin fruiting, I will be able to clear off my debts,” says Prof Kamate.

“When I introduced Sonchafa among Mogra sellers, they had neither heard of, nor seen such a flower; and so for weeks, I offered it to them for free as an incentive,” says D’Britto.

Having developed a nursery of the SS variety, Kshirsagar has sold saplings to more than 500 farmers. He believes that it is presently grown on 30,000 acres in Nashik district alone.

West Bengal hosts over 5,000 varieties of rice, a majority of which have disappeared due to faulty agricultural practices.

Custard apple just got better, and the news couldn’t make us happier!

Each part of this ‘wonder tree’ is useful. The roots, stems, leaves, seedpods, resin and flowers are considered to be healing herbs in Ayurvedic and Unani folk medicine.