Mango plucking begins in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, May 20 (UNB): The plucking of mangoes, the most juicy and delicious summer fruit, has begun at different orchards in the district.

Mango growers in different upazilas have started plucking 'Gopalbhoge' and 'Guti' varieties of mangoes in the first phase. After collecting 'Gopalbhoge', they will pluck Khirsapat'.

The district administration has given specific directives to the growers on how to pick mangoes.

If the weather remains favourable, the possible yield in the region this time is expected to cross 0.6 million tonnes, according to sources at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).

Earlier on May 9, the district administration held a meeting with the DAE officials, mango growers and traders with Deputy Commissioner of the district SM Abdul Kader in the chair.

It was decided at the meeting that mango plucking will begin on May 20.

The officials concerned also fixed June 1 to start plucking 'Khirsapat' while 'Laxmanbhoge', 'Amrupali' and 'Fazli' on June 16 and 'Ashwina' on July 1.

Besides, monitoring committees in coordination with upazila nirbahi officers, upazila chairmen and agriculture officers have been formed in all the relevant upazilas to ensure security and provide all the necessary support and facilities to mango growers, traders and buyers.

A makeshift office has been set up at Baneshwar Bazar in Puthia upazila. A decision was taken to keep the branches of different banks in Baneshwar Bazar open even on Saturdays.

Three executive magistrates and police will work round the clock to ensure the safe transportation of mangoes.

Deputy Commissioner of the district SM Abdul Kader said the timeframe has been fixed so that consumers can buy mangoes without fear of chemical mixing. "It'll protect the interests of all concerned, including mango growers, traders and buyers," he said.

Sources at the DAE office here said some 17,463 hectares of land have been brought under mango farming this time against 16,961 hectares last year.