Articles - Dr. Mani's Insights

A Leader Without Noise: Chandy Oomen

By Mani Skaria, PhD Some legacies are inherited…But what really matters… is how you carry them. Chandy Oommen—A lawyer…A Supreme Court advocate…Now serving in the Kerala Legislature… representing Puthuppally. He is the son of the late Oommen Chandy…Former Chief Minister of Kerala…A man known for a lifetime of humble service. And when you listen to…
From Tension to Peace–Happy Easter!

This Easter, in 2026, feels different. From Washington… to Jerusalem… to Tehran…to New Delhi…the world feels tense. Nations are uneasy.Communities are divided.Hearts are heavy.People are getting killed. But Easter was never about comfort. It was about hope in the middle of uncertainty. It was about light breaking through darkness. It was about peace in a…
GEMS in the Hallway: How Small Conversations Can Shape Your Life

There is something we often overlook in our pursuit of success. We prepare for big meetings.We rehearse presentations.We wait for the “right moment.” But life-changing moments… rarely announce themselves. They happen quietly. In hallways.Around a table.At a casual gathering. And if we are attentive—they reveal gems. About 30 years ago, I experienced this firsthand. I…
The $.2.50 Leadership Lesson | How to Pick the Right Avocado

What an Avocado Teaches Us About Health, Attention, and Small Decisions An avocado is more than just a fruit. It’s one of the most nutrient-rich foods we eat—filled with healthy fats, fiber, potassium, and essential vitamins that support the heart, brain, and overall well-being. What was once a simple staple has now become a premium…
What is Dr. Mani’s Magic? A story of soil, science, family, and the quiet innovations that grew from necessity.

By Mani Skaria, PhD ABRACADABRA People often ask me a simple question: “What is Dr. Mani’s Magic?” Some people even imagine that I must be a magician. I do not mind the thought of wearing a magician’s hat—especially now that my hair has graciously receded enough to make room for one. But the truth is…
Rethinking the Journey of Grapefruit: From Grove to Home

Mani Skaria, PhD Have you ever tasted grapefruit straight from the grove? If you have, you know the difference immediately. Fresh.Vibrant.Full of natural flavor. In the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, grapefruit grows under unique geographic and climatic conditions that give it a distinctive taste and quality. For generations, this region has produced some of the finest…
Who Will Grow Food for Kerala? (Malayalam)

Educated, Global …. Yet Food-Dependent! By Mani Skaria, PhD Kerala is a narrow strip of land, cradled between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.A long coastline.Backwaters that breathe with the tides.Monsoon-fed rivers that descend from mist-covered mountains. It is a land of coconut palms, paddy fields, tea gardens in the high ranges, and spices…
Who Will Grow Food for Kerala

Educated, Global …. Yet Food-Dependent! By Mani Skaria, PhD Kerala is a narrow strip of land, cradled between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.A long coastline.Backwaters that breathe with the tides.Monsoon-fed rivers that descend from mist-covered mountains. It is a land of coconut palms, paddy fields, tea gardens in the high ranges, and spices…
Thinking Outside the Box: From Biochemistry to Bloodline

By Mani Skaria, PhD In the last week of February 2026, I was at the University of California, Riverside, serving in an advisory capacity and speaking with a group of young scientists from across the country. They were serious, disciplined, deeply engaged in laboratory precision — mapping genes, refining biochemical pathways, advancing discovery through controlled…
World Ag Expo 2026: Where Innovation, Soil, and Legacy Converge–Intelligently

World Ag Expo 2026: Where Innovation, Soil, and Legacy Converge — Intelligently By Mani Skaria, PhD After a decade, I returned to the World Ag Expo in Tulare County — this time as an invited guest. As a Professor Emeritus in Agriculture in Texas, I have observed agricultural progress over many decades. What I witnessed…
The Screwworm at the Gate: Building a Biological Wall Before It Reaches Texas

By Mani Skaria, PhD Thanks to Dr. T.R. Landford DVM, Deputy Executive Director, Texas Animal Health Commission for his insights that made this article possible. Confirmed cases of the New World screwworm have now been reported in northeastern Mexico — approximately 230 miles south of the Texas border. It has not crossed into the United…
The Doctor Who Built a Heaven Between

Reflections on the Retirement of Dr. Saroja Viswamitra DHR Health, Edinburg/McAllen By Mani Skaria, PhD On February 12, 2026, in McAllen, Texas, nearly 450 people gathered to honor the retirement of Dr. Saroja Viswamitra — Chief Medical Officer, physician, builder, and community healer. The room was filled with physicians, professionals, civic leaders, and friends. They…
Wheel of Learning Together

This is not about showcasing myself—it is about learning together. The Wheel of Learning Together is my honest effort to explore Food, Family, Business, and Society & Citizenship through shared inquiry and conversation. I invite you to engage with the videos, articles, and insights here—and to contribute your thoughts, questions, and suggestions. Learning grows richer…
Why I Love India

I love India not because it is perfect, but because it is purposeful. India gained independence in 1947, inheriting not only freedom but also the immense responsibility of nation-building amid limited resources and a vast population. What India did not inherit, it deliberately built: institutions, resilience, and confidence. In the decades that followed, a young,…
Do You Know What Really Kills Your Plants in a Freeze?

By Mani Skaria, PhD Texas froze again. So did large parts of America. Whenever this happens, the same questions return: Why did some plants survive while others died? Why did protection work in one place and fail in another? Is it the cold itself that kills plants? The real answer lies inside a single plant…
Kerala, Social Media, and the Quiet Disappearance of Due Process

Kerala, Social Media, and the Quiet Disappearance of Due Process By Mani Skaria, PhD Kerala is a state that takes pride in thinking aloud. Its high literacy, political awareness, and culture of debate have long been sources of strength. Public discussion here has never been passive; people question, argue, and challenge authority. But in the…
Thinking Organically About Organic Food: Fighting Cognitive Hypocrisy

Organic food is often discussed emotionally or commercially — rarely cognitively.In this brief video, I explore the idea of thinking organically — approaching food choices with clarity, balance, and responsibility rather than slogans. This reflection is meant for educators, consumers, producers, and anyone interested in thoughtful decision-making around food systems. I welcome constructive dialogue.
WHEN A PAPAYA LOOKS RIGHT – BUT DOESN’T TASTE RIGHT

By Mani Skaria, PhD. Last week, I cut a papaya I purchased here in McAllen, Texas. It looked perfect—nice color, good shape, good firmness. But the first bite was disappointing: watery, diluted, almost flavorless. It looked like papaya… but it didn’t taste like papaya.I purchased it to impress my toddler granddaughter, but failed! This took…
What Is Good Education? From Tagore to Sridhar Vembu: Education Reimagined from the Ground Up

By Mani Skaria, PhD More than a century ago, Rabindranath Tagore—poet, philosopher, educator, and Nobel Laureate— challenged the idea of education as a factory of memorization and examinations. Working from Calcutta and later Shantiniketan in eastern India, he imagined learning as a living process rooted in nature, freedom, creativity, ethics, and joy. He warned that…
INFANT TEMPERATURE–A Grandparent’s Reflection with Scientific Precision

By Mani Skaria, PhD Today, I reflect on body temperature as a grandparent. My small grandchild has a temperature and is preparing to travel from New York to McAllen. In moments like this, the instinct is simple—to pray and ask God to make the temperature go away. But instinct alone is not enough. Body temperature…
A SMALL CHILD, A BIG BLESSING!

by Mani Skaria, PhD This morning at St. Gregorious Orthodox Church in McAllen, Texas, we were blessed by a special visitor(s). Two-year-old Zeke came from Philadelphia with his parents—both in the medical profession—and former members of our church family. It felt like a beautiful homecoming. I had the joy of watching the two-year-old, Zeke play…
SILLY BLACK BIRDS IN MCALLEN, TEXAS IS A LIFE LESSON

What People Call a Nuisance, a Grandpa Calls Classroom Dedication To my first grandchild and her little sister— Christmas 2025 By Silly Goose Grandpa Lalli My first grandchild has been to McAllen, Texas, a few times before, and each visit has brought its own joy – they live in New York. But this Christmas feels…
What Is Education For?

Is it only about earning a degree and finding a job—or is it also about learning how to think, adapt, and live with purpose? In this short reflection, I explore the deeper purpose of education: not just information, but thinking clearly, not just careers, but character, not just knowledge, but service. True education prepares us…
India’s Horticultural Future Takes Center Stage at IHC 2025

By Mani Skaria, PhD I was truly fortunate to witness the 11th Indian Horticultural Congress (IHC 2025), held from November 6–9 at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. Built around the theme “Horticulture for Inclusive, Equitable, and Sustainable Growth,” the Congress highlighted India’s vision for a resilient and farmer-centered horticultural future. Organized under the leadership…
The Unsung Gatekeepers of America’s Food Border

Mani Skaria, PhD, December 3, 2025 Most people never hear their names, but U.S. Customs Brokers are among the quiet heroes of America’s food and the agricultural system. Customs and Border Patrol professionals like Phillip Garcia of Hidalgo, Texas, works behind the scenes to ensure that every shipment of fruits, plants, seeds, organic ingredients, or…
People Find a Way

My good friend Jim Tour was on Fox Business to discuss recycling rare earth minerals. Take a look!
TODAY IS WORLD SOIL DAY — AND I PAUSE WITH DEEP GRATITUDE
MANI’s VISIT to MANI BHAVAN in MUMBAI: A Reflective Journey Through a Living History

Insight No. 31 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D. (the Silly Goose Grandpa)Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville Prepared on November 19, 2025 Yesterday, my wife Anne and I (first name, Mani) stood before a quiet, dignified building called Mani Bhavan on Laburnum Road in Mumbai. The wooden balconies, iron railings, and filtered sunlight made the façade almost glow….
I DIDN’T KNOW THIS TAUTOLOGY WHEN I FIRST STUDIED INDIAN HISTORY!

Insight No. 30 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D. (the Silly Goose Grandpa)Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville When I was preparing for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination decades ago, I immersed myself in India’s long and layered history. One of the figures who stood tallest in my imagination was Emperor Akbar, celebrated in every textbook as Akbar…
Tracing the Aroma: MY JOURNEY THROUGH INDIA’s BIRIYANI TRAIL

Insight No. 29 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D. (the Silly Goose Grandpa)Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville During my recent travels in Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Rajasthan, one sight kept repeating itself — a biryani shop on nearly every corner. From roadside stalls to fine restaurants, the word biryani glowed everywhere like a shared cultural…
A WEDDING IN JAIPUR — A CELEBRATION OF LOVE AND LEGACY

Insight No. 28 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D. (the Silly Goose Grandpa)Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville Opening Reflection My wife Anne and I, along with many friends from South Texas, had the privilege of witnessing something truly special in Jaipur — the wedding of Tirthik and Kshama, a young couple whose story reminds us that love, when…
MS. RACHEL AND THE PENDULUM OF LOVE: How One Woman’s Voice United Generations Through Love, Learning, and Laughter

Insight No. 27 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D. (the Silly Goose Grandpa)Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville THE RIVALS THE TEACHER WHO SINGS LOVE TURNED INTO PURPOSE There’s a friendly competition in our home — one that plays out in the bright eyes of my grandbaby, Lilah. The rivals? Ms. Rachel and Grandpa Lalli — and, truth be…
THE DAY I WROTE MY OWN OBITUARY

Insight No. 26 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” — Steve Jobs, 2005 Stanford Commencement It wasn’t…
A HALF CHAPATI MEMORY — From Bombay to Pune

Insight No. 25 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville “Do not blame your food because you have no appetite.” — Rabindranath Tagore A PERSONAL REFLECTION ON INDIA’S ANCIENT FLATBREAD Yesterday, my wife and I had lunch at the Taj Hotel in Bombay — the city where I first arrived decades ago as a young…
IN EVERY GAME, FEW PLAY—MANY SUSTAIN (The 80-20 Principle of Leadership, Energy, and Endurance)

Insight No. 24 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work.”–Vince Lombardi (1913-1970), one of the most respected figures in American football, and one of the greatest coaches in sports history. The 80-20 principle explains that…
WHEN THE WORLD SHAKES, CONTENTMENT HOLDS

Insight No. 23 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville In a world spinning faster each day, contentment is the quiet thread that holds everything together. It isn’t the loud victory of achievement but the calm assurance that life is enough as it is. True contentment grows where purpose is clear, relationships are tended, and…
HOWDY, HATS, BOOTS, and the BRAHMAN COW – a Texas Story that Walks, Talks, and Bridges Worlds

Insight No. 22 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville “You can tell a lot about a man by the way he says hello, and by the dust on his boots.” — Will Rogers, American humorist, actor. When a Texan says “Howdy!”, he isn’t just saying hello. He’s offering a handshake without touching your hand….
The Longest Queue of Hope and the Divine Bottle

Insight No. 21 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville A humorous reflection on Kerala’s most disciplined citizens and their two state-sponsored devotions. Author’s Note: In the past week, I’ve written about everything from Food to Nobel laureates to motherhood to the fine art of bending low to rise high. So, I thought it was…
Bending to Rise, Part 2: The Coffee and Japanese Bow on a Bullet Train

Insight No. 20 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville Inspired by a reader’s reflection on a previous post After sharing my previous essay on humility — Bending to Rise: The Hidden Power of Touching Someone’s Feet – one comment from my friend Joseph V. Mathew stayed with me. He wrote about “Ojigi”, the Japanese…
Bending to Rise: The Hidden Power of Touching Someone’s Feet

Insight No. 19 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville “When the fruit grows on the tree, the branch bends down.” – Indian Proverb There is great cultural, scientific, and spiritual significance behind the act of touching someone’s feet — a gesture deeply rooted in humility and reverence. It examines parallels across civilizations — from…
A Mother’s Heart

Insight No. 18 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville “A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity; it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”— Victor Hugo SJ, a young mother, is preparing for one of life’s…
Interface Between Grandparents and Grandchildren

Insight No. 17 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville This is the gentlest and most timeless interface — where memory meets imagination.Grandparents carry wisdom; grandchildren bring curiosity.Through stories, smiles, and shared silences, they convey not just data but also identity. Only a few months ago, while visiting my granddaughter’s family in Manhattan, a small…
Failure, Faith, and the Nobel Prize: The Real Story Behind 2025’s Greatest Discoveries

Insight No. 16 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville From the cells that defend our bodies to the molecules that draw water from air, this year’s Nobel Prizes celebrate science that sustains life itself. Medicine preserves life by understanding it; chemistry renews life by restoring what the planet needs most — clean water. Patience…
Fingers, Forks, and Chopsticks: Where Culture Meets the Table

Insight No. 15 “The belly is not filled with food alone, but with friendship.” — Persian Proverb Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville In Kerala, I grew up eating rice and curry with my fingers — the way my parents and grandparents did. Eating with your hand there isn’t poor etiquette; it’s a language…
Small Swat, Giant Impact

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”—Leonardo DaVinci Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US CitrusProduction Date: October 5, 2025 This morning, a tiny fly taught me a big lesson. For more than five minutes, I tried to get rid of it—with no success. It danced just out of reach, teasing my every move….
An Academic Case Study in Captive Service Pricing: Lessons from an Industrial Fan Installation

Insight No. 13 “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.”—Warren Buffet Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US CitrusProduction Date: September 12, 2025 1. Introduction: The Promise of Turnkey Service Industrial installations are expected to deliver both performance and peace of mind. Yet, when service pricing becomes fragmented, even…
Nutrient Love and Rivalries
The Power of Boring: Why It Succeeds and Builds Businesses That Last

Insight No. 12 “The first thing is character, before money or anything else. Money cannot buy it.”— J.P. Morgan Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US CitrusProduction Date: September 12, 2025 A Sign That Made Me Think At one of my banks, I noticed a simple sign that said:“Boring helps your business…
Sleep Journeys: From Babies to Scientists, Spotty to Peanut to Myself

Insight No. 11 “A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.”– Irish Proverb (widely cited in sleep and wellness literature) Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US CitrusProduction Date: September 9, 2025 Introduction Sleep is universal, yet endlessly varied. From infants who drift into slumber…
Two Dinner Tables

Insight No. 10 “Sometimes the roots of scientific revolutions are found in the most unlikely places.” Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US CitrusProduction Date: September 9, 2025 When I look back over the decades of my life, two dinner tables stand out more clearly than any others. They were set in…
From County Agent to Digital Coach: The Rise, Decline and Renewal of U.S. Extension

Insight No. 9 “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”— Nelson Mandela Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US Citrus Production Date: September 08, 2025 IntroductionThe Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is one of the most significant educational experiments in American history. Born from the Smith–Lever…
Australian Finger Lime: From the Land Down Under to Texas

Insight No. 8 “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” -John Muir Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US Citrus A Scientific Journey with Citrus Diversity In March 2025, I traveled to Mildura, in Victoria, Australia, to attend the International Organization of Citrus Virologists meeting. It was…
Baking Soda is Good for You—But It Can’t Turn Non-Organic into Organic

Insight No. 7 “True organic comes from how we grow, not just how we wash.” Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US Citrus Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is one of the most versatile and safe household products. It helps in cooking, personal health, and even plant care. But despite its many…
From Hippie to Citrus Hero: The Hidden Story of Clean Citrus

Insight No. 6 “Sometimes the roots of scientific revolutions are found in the most unlikely places.” Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US CitrusProduction Date: August 31, 2025 Executive Summary This Inside Story reveals a hidden chapter in citrus history. While Dr. Richard Hensz is celebrated as the father of the Texas…
Mistakes and Failures: Understanding the Difference, Embracing the Lessons

Insight #5 Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US CitrusProduction Date: August 31, 2025 Narrative Human progress is inextricably linked to mistakes and failures. From early childhood to the frontiers of science, no individual or society has advanced without stumbling along the way. Mistakes and failures are often grouped together as if…
Planting Gratitude: The Bicycle I Never Bought

Insight #4 “Gratitude is not spoken—it is cultivated in labor, watered with sacrifice, and harvested in love.” Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US CitrusProduction Date: August 31, 2025 Narrative Growing up in Kottayam, Kerala, I was part of an agricultural family that valued frugality and hard work. We had a man…
Amy’s Summer Greenhouse Experience: Eating Aphids and White Flies

Insight No. 2 “True strength grows in greenhouses of discomfort, watered by grit and guided by perseverance.” Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US CitrusProduction Date: August 31, 2025 Narrative The question was simple: “What was your most memorable work experience?” The answer, however, carried the weight of sweat, determination, and a…
Passion Beyond ROI

Insight No. 1 “Passion is the ROI that outlasts money.” Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US CitrusProduction Date: August 31, 2025 The Question about ROI In April 2023, four businesspeople—hailing from America, Morocco, India, andSweden—visited me in Hargill, Texas. They came to showcase a rapid, one-daycomposting unit. Their demonstration was interesting,…
The Onion Peel Approach: A Lesson from My Days in Jordan

Insight #3 “Every challenge has layers—wisdom comes from peeling them patiently.” Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–KingsvillePresident & CEO, US CitrusLocation: Amman & Jordan Valley, Hashemite Kingdom of JordanProduction Date: August 31, 2025 Narrative I arrived in Amman as part of a five‑member USAID team—the Jordan Valley Agricultural Services Project—seconded through Washington State University…
Citrus Espaliers: History, Technique, and Application in Citrus Cultivation

Production Date: August 18, 2025 Introduction: What is an Espalier? Espalier, pronounced es-pal-YAY, is the ancient horticultural practice of training fruit trees to grow flat against a structure, such as a wall, trellis, or series of wires. The technique originated with 16th–17th century European master gardeners who sought to grow fruit in confined courtyards, castle…
Why Should You Invest in Your Planet?

by Mani Skaria, Ph.D. Ancient Greeks described stars in the sky that were visible to the human eye. They found the stars moved; the Greeks described them as wandering objects. In Greek language, the term for wanderer is planetes. Ancient Greeks identified five naked-eye planets — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The names in…
The Journey of Grapefruit: From Barbados to the World

by Mani Skaria, Ph.D. In the sun-kissed breeze of the Caribbean isle, Where trade winds whispered through citrus groves with style, A fruit was born in golden light— A citrus gem, both bold and bright. From pomelo’s depth and orange’s grace, Came grapefruit’s flesh with a bittersweet face. Barbados, the cradle of this tale, Launched…
A Condensed History of the Texas A&I Citrus Center

The Texas A&I Citrus Center opened in 1947 in Weslaco under the leadership of Dr. P.W. Rohrbaugh. In 1964, Dr. Richard Hensz became the second director, contributing significantly to the Center’s national reputation. The Center launched an ambitious research and education program, accommodating students, WWII veterans, and teachers, with faculty from Kingsville supporting academic teaching…
You’re Not Just A Tree (Rio Red) – Song Lyrics

by Mani Skaria, PhD [Verse 1]Down in Weslaco, where the orchards grow,I met a tree with a Texas soul.Born of sunlight, sweat, and rain,Carved by hands that knew the strain. Dick, he saw you bloom,In that quiet old research field.He called Beto in, said “Take the lead,”And there began a lifelong seed. [Chorus]You’re not just…
Puliyangudi: The Heart of South India’s Lime Cultivation

Puliyangudi: The Heart of South India’s Lime Cultivation Production Date: July 27, 2025 📍 Introduction Puliyangudi, located in the Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu, is widely recognized as the ‘Lemon Town’ of South India. This town has built its reputation on the strength of acid lime cultivation, creating a thriving economy based on this single…
Complete Fertilizer for Gardeners

Hello, I am Dr. Mani Skaria—Professor Emeritus, entrepreneur, and lifelong student of plant health and soil fertility.Today, we’re diving into a foundational topic for home gardeners and growers alike: Complete Fertilizers. Plants require a wide range of nutrients to thrive, broadly categorized into macronutrients and micronutrients.Macronutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—often listed as N-P-K on…
Biochar Manufacturing: The Promise of Mesquite in Texas (Inspired by Qualterra)

by Mani Skaria, PhD Let us examine the production of biochar, drawing inspiration from Qualterra Inc., a pioneering company based in Spokane, Washington, which specializes in transforming agricultural residues into high-quality biochar. The script explores the definition of biochar, its origins, and its growing importance in sustainable horticulture and agriculture. Particular attention is given to…
12 Seeds for New Graduates

by Mani Skaria, Ph.D. The following is a presentation I gave to the graduating class of a local high school: Video Script: Twelve Seeds for a Flourishing Future: Cultivating Dreams and Wisdom “Hello, everyone! Today is a super special day. We are here to celebrate the achievements of our amazing graduates from Edinburg, Texas. These…
Harnessing the Power of Vetiver

Today, I invite you to explore an innovative and sustainable approach to citrus cultivation—one that harnesses the natural power of Vetiver grass. Our journey will emphasize our time’s pressing need for sustainable agricultural practices. In this presentation, we will delve into the unique properties of Vetiver, the Latin name Chrysopogon zizaniodes. We will discuss its introduction…
The 5 Cs for Startup Business Success

By Dr. Mani Skaria, Ph.D. President & CEO, US Citrus Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M University-Kingsville Production Date: July 06, 2025 With decades of experience in both academia and industry, I’ve had the privilege to mentor, teach, and build enterprises from the ground up. Today, I’ll walk you through the 5 Cs of Startup Business…
Garlic and Allicin in Pest and Disease Control

by Mani Skaria, PhD Garlic has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and agriculture. But it’s not just old wives’ tales—modern science confirms what ancient wisdom suspected. This humble kitchen ingredient has significant power in sustainable horticulture. What is Allicin?When garlic is crushed or chopped, an enzymatic reaction occurs, producing a potent…
Peeling the Onion: My Lesson in Problem Solving from the Jordan Valley

by Mani Skaria, PhD In 1984, I had just completed my Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Purdue University. A few weeks later, I found myself stepping off a plane in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan—an ancient land under the wise and steady rule of His Majesty King Hussein. I had been selected as part of…
Though there was tree death, there is resurrection and hope!

Mani Skaria, PhD Founder & CEO @ US Citrus, LLC | Bringing a New Outlook to the American Citrus Industry Professor Emeritus of Citrus Pathology, Texas A&M University-KingsvilleMarch 7, 2021 • Arctic Freeze Damage in Texas. An Arctic freeze swept through the state into the southernmost Rio Grande Valley, starting Sunday, February 14, 2021, lasted days. Texas’s electric…
Beyond Organic

It is time for taking “Beyond Organic” for discussions by the USDA, the National Academy of Sciences, State Ag Departments, and Food Buyers. Mani Skaria, PhD Founder & CEO @ US Citrus, LLC | Bringing a New Outlook to the American Citrus Industry Professor Emeritus of Citrus Pathology, Texas A&M University-KingsvilleNovember 3, 2019 Why should I…
Thou Shalt Nurture Soil as Womb

Mani Skaria, PhD Founder & CEO @ US Citrus, LLC | Bringing a New Outlook to the American Citrus Industry Professor Emeritus of Citrus Pathology, Texas A&M University-Kingsville The Microbiome. Any citrus grower aspiring to be profitable must redefine and start to respect the soil because it is not just an inert medium to grow…
A Tree Full of Promise, A Morning Full of Tears

“When a Night Steals the Harvest, but Not the Dream” Mani Skaria, Ph.D. In 2013, this micro-budded Mighty Mini grapefruit tree stood as a living testament to innovation and patience. Just four years old, from a 2009 trial, it bore 169 magnificent fruits — each one nearly a pound or more, golden-skinned and heavy with…
Rio Red Grapefruit: Texas’ Crimson Jewel

“The Texas Red Grapefruit, honored on an official specialty license plate as the State Fruit of Texas.” Introduction Few fruits embody a place as completely as the Rio Red grapefruit embodies Texas. Its deep crimson flesh, balanced sweetness, and unmistakable aroma are unlike grapefruit grown anywhere else. When the Texas Legislature declared the red grapefruit…