Mani Skaria: From Texas Citrus Pioneer to India’s Citrus Revolution
Mani Skaria, hailing from Amayannor in Kerala, India, has become a pivotal figure in Texas’s citrus industry. His journey began as an aspiring civil servant, then a teacher in Jordan, and eventually led to a transformative agricultural career in the U.S. Skaria founded U.S. Citrus in Hargill, Texas, where he implemented innovative techniques like micro-budding technology to enhance fruit yields and production speed. These advancements established U.S. Citrus as the largest producer of specialty citrus crops in Texas.
Skaria also pioneered the Clean Citrus program, earning him the title “Father of Clean Citrus.” His significant contributions include identifying Sweet Orange Scab and the Diaprepes root weevil, reshaping the industry standards. After completing his Ph.D. at Purdue University, Skaria faced personal health challenges, which fueled his determination to establish critical citrus programs in Texas.
In 2012, he launched the U.S. Citrus Company, emphasizing innovation in citrus cultivation and environmental conservation. Despite natural disasters in 2020 and 2021, Skaria’s resilience led to the development of new organic gardening products. Now, he aims to revolutionize India’s citrus industry by establishing a $30 million top-tier citrus nursery in northern India. This project targets producing one million high-quality grafted trees annually, aiming to modernize the industry and support small-scale growers.
Skaria’s vision extends beyond business success; he seeks to mentor young entrepreneurs and share his expertise to improve India’s agricultural landscape. His work aligns with India’s goals of sustainable agricultural growth and rural development, promising a brighter future for the nation’s citrus industry.
