Mahakalpada: If one has the desire to do something new, opportunities open up naturally — and with dedication and focus, success is achievable. This has been proven by Samarendra Mahali, an environmentalist who has successfully grown exotic fruits on Odisha soil.
Samarendra Mahali, a resident of Chapali village in Mahakalpada block of Kendrapara district, has become a topic of discussion for cultivating different varieties of passion fruit using organic methods in his own backyard. Originally from Britain, these foreign fruits are now thriving in the soil of Tangara, thanks to his efforts and hard work.
During a visit to Kolkata, he came across a nursery where he saw passion fruit plants. Inspired, he purchased three varieties — red, yellow, and black — and brought the saplings back home. A year later, those plants have now started bearing abundant and colorful fruits.
He explains that the juice of these fruits is consumed directly and is rich in Vitamin C. It helps in reducing body fat and is particularly beneficial for diabetic patients. According to Mahali, these exotic fruits are in high demand and are sold in national and international markets at prices upwards of ₹200 per kg.
He also mentioned that the district horticulture department is encouraging unemployed youth to take up this cultivation by providing training. Mahali believes that if young men and women take up such farming, they can become self-reliant and generate income for themselves.