‘Fruit of heaven in God's own country’: Kerala man's gac experiment yields results

Thiruvananthapuram: Abdul Rahim, a resident of Kallara in Thiruvananthapuram, has successfully grown Thailand’s rare gac fruit—known as the 'fruit of heaven'—on his home terrace. The fruit, rarely seen in Kerala, is now yielding abundantly.

A curious beginning

Rahim first saw the gac fruit in a Thai fruit shop. He was curious and bought the fruit home. Days later, he decided to plant it. His experiment has since turned into a thriving terrace garden.

Organic care at its best

Rahim entirely grows the fruit organically. He mainly uses ash, bone meal and cow dung as fertiliser. He waters the plant twice daily and makes sure it is protected from pests and kept clean.

From green to red: The fruit’s journey

Gac fruits change colour as they grow. They start green, turn yellow in the second stage, and then bright orange. When the fruit becomes deep red, it is ready for harvest. One plant can continue producing fruit for several years.

A local attraction

The red-hued fruits have also become a visual delight. School children and visitors frequently come to see the harvest. Locals have also been visiting his home to buy this rare fruit. Rahim believes that with proper care, anyone can grow the 'fruit of heaven' on their terrace.

High value in the market

The fruits are not just attractive—they are valuable too. A single fruit can weigh over a kilo. Market rates range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per kilo, Rahim added.