After Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, mango trading has gained momentum in Rajshahi, with the appearance of several varieties of the fruit in the market.
Apart from the established markets, enormous mango-based trading at haats, and other growing centres have changed the rural economic scenario of the region as a whole.
Now the divisional city's markets are abundant with all varieties of mangoes, and the wholesale buyers, as well as the retailers, have been pouring into the markets, and bargaining to settle a price.
After ending the brisk business of Gopalbhog, a kingly variety of mango for its taste and flavour, some other delicious varieties like Khirshapat (Himsagar), Lengra, and Amrapali have appeared in the market in abundance, alongside other local, and developed varieties.
Shariful Islam, a mango wholesaler at Sheriol Bus Stand said, Khirsapat is being sold from Tk 1,800 to 2,000, Lengra from Tk 1,600 to 1,800, and Ranipasand from Tk 1,200 to 1,400 per maund at present.
The present market price is lower than in the previous years. Month-long Ramadan followed by Eid-celebration might be the reason behind the price drop, he added.
In the city, many places like Shaheb Bazaar, Swarnakar potty, Laxmipur, Court Bazaar, New Market, Upashahar New Market, Shalbagan, Binodpur, and Court Station are flooded with mangoes. Meanwhile, like the previous years, people from across the country are coming to Rajshahi City, and its outskirts, especially Baneshawar Bazar to buy quality juicy mangoes.
Rasel Ahmed, a mango farmer of Charghat upazilla of the district, alleged that they are getting only Tk. 1,800 to 2,200 for one mound good quality mango from the buyer, who came from Dhaka or Chittagong. However, when those mangoes reach the capital's markets, it's selling at double the price.
“Including packing and carrier cost, the total cost of sending one mound of mango to Dhaka is Tk 2500 at the highest”, he added.
On the other hand, the district administration fixed the harvest date of mangoes according to the varieties. Following the chart, Gopalbhog mango harvesting started on May 20. Ranipasand and Laxmanbhog from May 25, Khirsapat or Himsagar from May 28, Lengra from June 6, Amrapali, Fazli, and Surma Fazli from June 16, and Ashwina varieties from July 1 in phases.
Shafiullah Sultan, upazila agriculture officer in Bagha, said the export of quality mangoes from Bagha is increasing day by day. He expressed the hope that this year farmers of Bagha will be successful in exporting mangoes like last year.
A huge enthusiasm is being noticed among the mango farmers to export the fruit. Fruit bagging process in mango plantation is gradually becoming popular among mango farmers of Bagha upazila.
Upazila administration was also regularly supervising the mango orchards to ensure production of quality mangoes there.
Dr Alim Uddin, principal scientific officer of Mango Research Centre informed, in this season around 18,000 hectares of land have been brought under mango cultivation, and 2,13,426 metric tons of mango production targets have been set for the district.
He said the mangoes of Bagha, being very good in taste, texture, and quality, are now being exported to various countries.
To produce pesticide-free, and quality mangoes, farmers of the areas are using ‘fruit bagging process’ to save the fruit from the pest attack, and keep the texture of the fruit fresh, and natural.
He further said the fruit bagging process also saves the mango from various natural catastrophes like excessive rain and storm, and a fruit bagged mango does not damage when hit on branches during a storm.