Mango growers and businessmen have become hopeful about the ensuing mango production as the fruit setting process is going on successfully in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, nationwide famous for the delicious seasonal fruit.
Shamsul Haque, Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture Extension, said that fruit setting stage is progressing now well and the mango trees have started wearing eye-catching looks in the orchards, gardens and homestead areas amidst favourable climatic condition.
He mentioned that over 85 per cent mango trees were bloomed abundantly during this season’s flowering time on an average.
The present climatic condition especially frequent rainfall is very helpful for the fruit setting process. “We are expecting more mango yield this year than that of the previous year. Field level officials and staffs concerned remained careful to help the farmers to protect the cash crop from any pest attack,” he added, reports BSS.
Agriculturist Haque says the farmers are also contacting the officials and experts to take extensive care for better growth of the tender mangoes.
Mango, a leading seasonal cash crop of the northwestern region, dominates the economy in the two districts.
Monwar Hossain, a farmer of Nandangachhi village under Charghat Upazila in the district, said the fruit setting stage is progressing well. “I have sprayed pesticides on the mango trees to protect those from premature dropping and pest attack. I’m hopeful of good production if favourable weather prevails,” he added.
“We have witnessed plenty of sprouting in the initial stage. Green mangoes have appeared in the trees at present,” said Hafizur Rahman, another farmer of Habashpur village under Bagha Upazila in the district.
Mango farmer and trader Saiful Islam of the same area says a tender aged tree yields two to three mounds of mango while a big size tree doubles the figure worth around Taka 4,000.
He mentioned that mangoes of indigenous varieties will start appearing in the local markets from mid of next month while the lucrative varieties like Gopalbhog, Langra and Khirshapat by first week of June.
Dr Alim Uddin, Principal Scientific Officer of Rajshahi Fruit Research, suggests the farmers for proper nursing of their orchards and gardens at this stage and controlling pests’ attacks, if any with temperature rise, by mango hoppers now, or sometime later by weevil or other insects for better mango production, reports BSS.
