Ahmed Mohammed Gharib has spent more than five decades cultivating mangoes on his farm in Fujairah, producing thousands of kilograms of fruit each year.
At 82, Ahmed Mohammed Gharib still walks through his mango orchard with the same enthusiasm he felt more than five decades ago.
It all began when he tasted a mango for the first time. The fruit’s sweetness left such a lasting impression that he decided to grow it himself in the UAE.
“I travelled to India and Pakistan to bring mango seeds and saplings,” Gharib recalled. “When I returned, I planted them on my farm and began learning how to cultivate them in our climate.”
That journey marked the beginning of a lifelong passion. The Emirati farmer has spent more than 50 years cultivating mangoes in Fujairah, producing thousands of kilograms of fruit each year. Along the way, he also experimented with different varieties, cross-breeding some of them to develop his own types suited to local conditions.
“I wanted to produce mangoes that suited our environment,” he said. “Over the years, I crossed different mango varieties and developed new types through experience and patience.”
His farms are located in Sharm and Al Bidya in Fujairah, where he also cultivates citrus fruits and date palms. Although he is supported by workers in daily operations, Gharib personally oversees every stage of cultivation.
“Experience is the secret,” he said. “You must know when to fertilise, when to irrigate, and when to prune the trees. Every five or six months, the trees need proper care to stay healthy and produce good-quality fruit.”
He now grows several mango varieties, including Arabi Hamadh, Hindi Hamadh, Lumi, Fifai, and Arabi Moza.
Production varies each year depending on weather and growing conditions. “In a good season, we harvest around 12,000 kg of mangoes. Other years, it may be 10,000 kg or even 5,000 kg,” he said. “Agriculture depends on many factors, and every season is different.”
Even after five decades, Gharib says the joy of seeing mangoes ripen on his trees has never faded.
“Mango farming needs patience,” he said. “When you care for the trees properly, they reward you with good fruit. That is what has kept me doing this for more than 50 years.”
Beyond the farm, Gharib regularly showcases his harvest at agricultural exhibitions and mango festivals across the UAE, where he enjoys meeting visitors and promoting locally grown produce. This week, he is among the farmers participating in the Khor Fakkan Mango Festival, running from June 26 to June 28, where he has displayed several varieties from his farms.
“For me, these festivals are not just about selling mangoes,” he said. “They are an opportunity to show what Emirati farms can produce and to encourage the younger generation to take an interest in agriculture.”
