In the department of Santander, Colombia, mangoes as big as footballs were harvested last week and pictures went viral.
Liliana Garnica Ruiz had the giant mango crops on her farm, according to a local news source, and the fruit was grown using organic methods based on soil improvement.
“These mangoes have been a blessing, they are not only healthy, but they are also large,” she stated. Other fruits grown on her farm include lemons, oranges and tangerines.
After completing a three-year apprenticeship, Garnica entered the world of agriculture just five years ago. Two of those years, her effort was focused on gathering good-quality, clean products.
It was reported during a Guinness World Records event last year that Colombia had grown the world’s heaviest mango, which weighed about 9.4 pounds or 4.25 kilograms.
“I know my mango surpasses that record which surprised me and I wanted to register it, but I stopped myself. I first want to see how these fruits reach maturity and what their flavor is like,” she added.
“These mangos still need time to ripen because they were cut early, so now I’ll wait to see and let them ripen without the tree’s nutrition.”
“Organic fruit is much better than conventional agriculture and my trees are fortified with minerals and many nutrients.”
Garnica said that if she continues her production techniques and the results are the same, next year she can decide to apply and achieve that worldwide recognition. “I would be proud as a Colombian.”
