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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
