Padma Shri awardee Kalimullah Khan, popularly known as India’s “Mango Man,” has once again captured national attention for successfully growing more than 300 varieties of mangoes on a single ancient tree using advanced grafting techniques. The remarkable achievement has made Kalimullah Khan one of India’s most celebrated horticulturists.
Based in Malihabad in Uttar Pradesh, Kalimullah Khan reportedly spent decades experimenting with plant grafting methods to transform a 120-year-old mango tree into a multi-variety fruit-bearing marvel. The tree now produces mangoes of different colours, flavours, textures, shapes, and harvest seasons, showcasing extraordinary agricultural expertise.
Kalimullah Khan began experimenting with grafting at a young age and eventually became famous for preserving rare mango varieties while creating new combinations. Several of the mango varieties developed by him have reportedly been named after celebrities and public figures, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, and Narendra Modi.
Agricultural experts say grafting requires deep knowledge of plant biology, climate conditions, compatibility, and long-term tree maintenance. Kalimullah Khan’s work is widely viewed as a major example of how traditional farming practices and innovation can coexist successfully.
Kalimullah Khan received the Padma Shri in 2008 for his contribution to horticulture and mango cultivation. Today, visitors, researchers, and fruit enthusiasts from across India and abroad reportedly travel to see his famous mango tree and learn about his grafting techniques.
