RANGPUR, June 18 (BSS): In the hope of bumper harvest and excellent business this season, the formal harvesting of the very fleshy, fibreless and delicious local variety of 'Haribhanga' mango has started in the district.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal inaugurated the plucking of 'Haribhanga' mangoes in successful mango grower Ayub Ali's 50-decimal orchard in Purbo Khoragachh village of Mithapukur upazila on Tuesday.
Later, he addressed a views-exchange meeting with 'Haribhanga' mango farmers and traders at the nearby Podaganj School and College ground as the chief guest.
The Mithapukur upazila administration and Mithapukur upazila agriculture office of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) jointly organised the event.
Acting Mithapukur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Multamis Billah presided over the meeting.
Deputy Director of Rangpur DAE Md Sirajul Islam, District Jamaat Ameer Golam Rabbani, its Secretary Moulana Md Enamul Haque, BNP District Committee Member Assistant Professor Sajedur Rahman Rana addressed the event as special guests.
Mithapukur Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Saiful Abedin said that this time 'Haribhanga' mangoes have been cultivated in the orchards and homesteads on 1,300 hectares of land in Mithapukur upazila alone of Rangpur district.
"The production target of 'Haribhanga' mango has been fixed at 26,000 metric tonnes worth about Tk 1.50 billion for Mithapukur upazila alone this season," he said.
The Deputy Commissioner said that 'Haribhanga' mangoes are the pride of Rangpur district.
'Haribhanga' mango has been officially recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product of Rangpur. The recognition has created a huge demand for it locally and abroad.
"The agriculture-based rural economy of Rangpur and the entire region is thriving with the increased cultivation of 'Haribhanga' mango, which has already made hundreds of farmers self-reliant," he said.
Deputy Director Sirajul Islam of the DAE said that extensive research is underway on 'Haribhanga' mango to further promote its cultivation and production.
"Mango farmers and traders should unite to avoid marketing 'Haribhanga' mangoes before the specified time," he said, predicting that the production and trade of 'Haribhanga' mangoes will be excellent this season.
During the last season, farmers produced 38,508 tonnes of 'Haribhanga' mango from their orchards in 2,556 hectares of land in all five districts of Rangpur agricultural region.
