RAJSHAHI, Jan 31: Many mango trees in the district have begun to bloom early amid dense fog and biting cold since the beginning of Bengali month of Magh.
Mango farmers are happy that their threes are blossoming early since the end of Bengali month of Paush.
But, agriculture officers said it is not good for early mango blossoms in chilly winter. Dense fog may damage the blossoms, hitting the mango production.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), mangoes have been cultivated on 19,602 hectares of land in Rajshahi district this season with a production target of 260,164 tonnes.
Last year, mangoes were cultivated on 19,578.8 hectares of land in Rajshahi. Farmers achieved a production of 260,006 tonnes and earned Tk 1.52 billion.
While visiting several areas, including the city police lines, Bheripara, Meherchandi, Malopara, Bhadra, Bagha and Charghat, early mango blossoms have sprouted from many trees. Farmers are busy taking care of these trees and blossoms.
Farmers said all mango trees will be in full bloom in mid-February (beginning of Falgun), the prime time for the cultivation of the mouthwatering fruit.
Saiful Islam, a resident of Bheripara in the northeastern city, said every year mango blossoms bloom early on some trees.
Abdul Matin, a farmer of Bagha upazila of the district, said, "Blossoms have sprouted from four trees of early mango varieties. His other trees have not bloomed yet. I hope all my trees will bloom in a week or two. Now, I'm taking care of the roots of the trees."
Dr Md. Shafiqul Islam, chief scientific officer at Rajshahi fruit research centre, said mango blossoms have sprouted from some trees. All mango trees bloom in mid-February.
He also said there is a risk of damage to early mango blossoms in dense fog or cold wave. To protect the blossoms, fungicides and Imida chloropid insecticides should be sprayed on the trees.
Md Mazder Hossain, deputy director of the Rajshahi DAE, said some mango trees have bloomed. Other mango threes will blossom gradually.
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