R. Aparna
In the small village of Amayannor in Kerala’s Kottayam district, a young Mani Skaria would often find himself dreaming under the shade of mango trees. It was the 1970s, and like many bright students, Skaria imagined a future as a civil servant—a role that promised both stability and respect. But life had other plans for him. The curiosity he nurtured during those quiet moments would eventually grow into groundbreaking innovations that transformed the citrus industry across the globe.
Skaria’s journey from the fields of his village to the citrus orchards of Texas was anything but straightforward. It was filled with unexpected turns, bold choices, and a constant drive to learn more. After earning a master’s degree in Botany, a teaching job in Jordan became the first major shift in his path. This detour eventually led him to the United States, where he would go on to make a significant impact in the world of agriculture.
Today, Skaria is the driving force behind U.S. Citrus Company in Hargill, Texas—a place where innovation and tradition come together. His development of micro-budding technology has changed the way citrus is grown, enabling trees to produce fruit more quickly and abundantly than ever before. But Skaria’s vision doesn’t end in Texas. With the same determination that took him from his village to the global stage, he now aims to bring a citrus revolution to India.
Mani Skaria’s story isn’t just about personal achievement; it’s a powerful example of how vision, adaptability, and determination can lead to remarkable outcomes. From his modest beginnings in Kerala to becoming a leader in the citrus industry, Skaria’s journey shows that sometimes the most incredible paths are the ones we never expected to take.
After earning his Ph.D. in plant pathology at Purdue University, Mani Skaria briefly returned to Jordan before accepting a crucial role at Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s Citrus Center in Weslaco, Texas. It was here that his sharp insights and dedication led him to create the “Clean Citrus” program, which was a game-changer for the industry. Initially met with skepticism, Skaria’s initiative to produce disease-free citrus plants eventually revolutionized Texas’s citrus industry, earning him the nickname “Father of Clean Citrus.”
In 2012, Skaria’s passion for citrus took on a new dimension when he founded U.S. Citrus Company in Hargill, Texas. Located in the fertile Rio Grande Valley, the company has grown to become the largest domestic producer of limes in the United States. Skaria introduced micro-budding technology, a technique that allows for more dense planting and quicker fruit production. This innovation has significantly shortened the time it takes for citrus trees to bear fruit, boosting both yield and profitability. His work at U.S. Citrus has garnered him widespread recognition, including the title “Lime King of Texas.”
Skaria’s long career is filled with major achievements, like his discovery of Sweet Orange Scab (SOS) in 2010, which was the first of its kind in the U.S. He also identified the Diaprepes root weevil back in 2000, a pest that had a massive $15 billion impact on Texas agriculture according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. These discoveries have played a critical role in protecting and advancing the citrus industry in Texas.
But Skaria’s vision extends far beyond Texas. He is now focused on revitalizing India’s citrus industry, which he feels is outdated. Understanding the challenges that small-scale growers face, he is leading a $30 million project to build a cutting-edge citrus nursery in northern India. This facility aims to produce one million high-quality, grafted citrus trees each year, improving the quality of fruit and the profitability of small farmers.
In the recent turn of events, Skaria has launched a Vetiver planting project in Wayanad, India, with an aim to plant one million Vetiver plants in the region. To ensure the success and sustainability of this initiative, he has committed $3.5K personal seed money and secured commitment from some friends and family. Besides money, collaboration and support from various stakeholders, including scientific communities, local ecologists, NGOs, and the people of Wayanad are still required.
Skaria’s journey is a powerful example of resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to sustainable agriculture. From transforming the citrus industry in Texas to embarking on an ambitious project in India, his work shows how perseverance and a love for knowledge can create lasting, global impact.
