RAJSHAHI, Mar 18 (BSS): Fruit setting process of mango is going on smoothly amid favorable climatic condition predicting bumper production of the most popular fruit in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts.
The fruit setting stage is progressing now well and the mango trees has started wearing eye-catching looks in the orchards, gardens and homestead areas amidst favourable climatic condition.
Mango, a leading seasonal cash crop of the northwestern region, dominates the economy in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts.
According to official sources in the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and Horticulture Centre of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI), over 95 per cent mango trees have bloomed abundantly during this season on an average.
Talking to the news agency, Monzurul Haque, Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), said the fruit setting stage is progressing well and farmers are contacting the officials and experts to take extensive care for better growth of the tender mangoes.
He suggested 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.
Hannan, a mango grower, said, "I have sprayed pesticides on the mango trees to protect those from pest attack and have good sprouting. I'm hopeful of good production if favourable weather prevails."
DAE sources say there are about 3.0 million mango trees of different ages and varieties on some 32,816 hectares in the region with creation of many mango orchards and increased mango farming in the homesteads in recent years.
Dr Alim Uddin, Principal Scientific Officer of Rajshahi Fruit Research Centre, hoped for a bumper mango production following massive blooms if the climatic conditions, fluctuations in temperatures, rainfalls, attack by pests and insects remain normal for the next few months.
If the extents of seasonal nor'westers remain within the tolerable limits, there is a huge possibility of achieving a record bumper production of all varieties mango this season, the experts predicted.
Dr Alim Uddin said that the farmers have been showing more interests in mango farming in recent years to increase its productions get huge profits in achieving their economic wellbeing everywhere.
