Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman of Reliance Industries and India’s wealthiest individual, holds a fortune of Rs 8,41,35,10,819. While renowned for his achievements in petroleum, telecommunications, and retail, his venture into agriculture has been equally remarkable. Under his leadership, Reliance has become the world’s largest exporter of mangoes, thanks to a massive mango farm located in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
In 1997, when stringent environmental regulations were introduced due to the nearby oil refinery, Reliance embarked on a project to transform barren land into a thriving mango orchard. This initiative led to the establishment of the Dhirubhai Ambani Lakhibagh Amrai farm, covering 600 acres of previously unused land. What began as a compliance measure has now become a significant agricultural success.
The orchard spans over 1.3 lakh trees, cultivating more than 200 varieties of mangoes by combining traditional farming methods with modern technology. The farm is named after the historic Lakhibag orchard from the Mughal era. To tackle challenges like dry weather and saline soil, Reliance introduced innovative techniques, including a desalination plant for clean water, water harvesting, drip irrigation, and fertigation. These measures ensure sustainability and high yields.
The orchard produces premium mango varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Sindhu, and Amrapali, alongside international varieties like Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keitt, Lily, and Maya. With an annual output of nearly 600 tonnes, Reliance has become Asia’s leading exporter, catering to both domestic and global markets.
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