Fragrance all around as mango trees in full bloom

OUR CORRESPONDENT

RANGPUR, Apr 01: The aroma of mango blossoms is pervading the air of the district, making beholders enchanted, as mango trees have taken a charming look.

The mango blossoms in the orchards and homestead areas have made cultivators optimistic about attaining an excellent yield of the popular fruit during this current season.

Experts, officials at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and agronomists said over 95 per cent of mango trees have already massively bloomed and a bumper production is expected if weather remains conducive.

During his visit to different areas, including Podaganj, Khoragachh of Mithapukur and Nagerhat, Laldighi and Gopalpur of Badarganj upazila, the FE correspondent found the growers taking care of their mango orchards with enthusiasm.

Growers and DAE officials hope if the natural disasters like storms or nor'wester remain in moderate limits, this region will witness an excellent yield of the popular fruit this year.

According to DAE official sources, growers have been showing enthusiasm in mango farming and productions as they got huge profits in recent years.

Sources said many varieties, including delicious mango varieties like Haribhanga, Bari-4, Sada mango, Aswina, Fazlee, Amropali, Khirsapati etc are grown in the region.

Of the varieties, Hari-bhanga mango is grown abundantly in the region. This juicy, appetizing and fleshy mango is very popular.

DAE Rangpur official sources said mango has been cultivated on around 3,500 hectares of land in the district this season.

Of the total, Haribhanga has been cultivated on around 1,905 hectares of land. Per hectare production of mango is expected to be around 20-22 tonnes, sources also said.

Bakul Mia, a mango grower at Khoragachh in Mithapukur upazila, told The Financial Express that mango cultivation has changed his financial condition in recent years.

He has over 450 mango trees in his orchard. He has cultivated Haribhanga and Bari-4 varieties of mango.

Last year, he earned over Tk 4 lakh by selling mangoes. This year he is hopeful of earning more profit, if the weather remains congenial, he added.

Dulal Mandal, another grower of Laldighi area at Badarganj upazila, told The FE that he has a mango orchard on 2 acres of land. He has been cultivating Haribhanga mango for the last 10 years and earning huge profits.

He is also expecting a good yield as well as handsome profit this season.

He said cultivation of Haribhanga mango has changed the financial condition of many farmers in the region.

DAE sources said last year around Tk 425 crores was earned from the sales of mangoes produced in the region. This year growers are expecting more profits.

Rangpur DAE Deputy Director Reaz Uddin told The FE that massive budding predicts a plentiful production of the fruit this year.

He said DAE officials are also advising farmers to prevent and combat the attacks of pests and other adverse circumstances for ensuring the satisfactory mango production.

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