Mango growers and businessmen in Rajshahi region are expecting a bumper yield this year.
The estimated outturn is 600,000 tonne, if the weather doesn’t turn hostile.
The local administration has fixed the times for harvesting mangoes according to the varieties.
Despite the storm and hail on Apr 30 lashed through the area causing a huge amount of mango fall, still it is hoped of adequate yield following favourable weather.
Assistant director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi Deb Dulal Dhali said “Mango production of this year looks aplenty due to the good weather. But, the growers will be troubled even for a light storm hits before the harvest”.
“Hopefully, the people will able to have adequate mangoes this season. Insects could attack during the time when mangoes get matured, the growers need to be more careful about the orchards then” said Dr. Alim Uddin, the chief scientific officer of the Fruit Research Centre, Rajshahi.
According to the DAE in Rajshahi zone, different kinds of mangoes have been cultivated in 26,150 hectares of land in Chapai-nababganj district with a production target of 244,000 metric tons this year.
Similarly in Naogaon,the production target has been pegged at 1,61,000 and in Natore it is expected to produce 56,021 metric tons this year.
In Rajshahi district, this year total lands of mango cultivation have been increased than the previous year, the agriculture department said.
Being talked to the growers in the various areas in Rajshahi, they said that this year’s production to rise in significant amount due to taking early measures to protect the mangoes.
Some of the growers demanded modern mango preserving and manufacturing facilities in Rajshahi to boost up export business.
While talking on mango exporting issue, Dhali said that Bangladesh could make its way to export only 15-20 tons of mangoes instead of 50 tons due to not meeting all the 26 conditions imposed by the buyers.
“This year the exporters signed a deal with 14-growers who agreed to produce mangoes maintaining the conditions”, he added.
Rajshahi District administrative chief SM Abdul Quader said “Harvesting time has been fixed to ensure the quality of the fruit and the grower’s profit”.
Saying that no adulteration causes to the mangoes in Rajshahi he also added “ If any violation is found in case of maintaining harvesting time, action will be taken”.
Iftekhar Alam, the senior assistant commissioner and spokesman of the Rajshahi Metropolitan police ensured that the lawmen will work on reducing harassments of the buyers and the growers.
The local administration this year fixed the harvesting time for some varieties of the mangoes. Gopalbhog will be collected after May 20. Himsagar, Khirsapati and Laxmanbhog can be harvested after Jun 1. The Langra, Fazli and Aswina could be collected after Jun 6, Jun 16 and Jul 1 respectively.