Diversified use of mango needed
Saturday, 26 April 2014
Mango growers in Rajshahi and Chapainawabgonj districts are expecting excellent production this year with favourable climatic condition at the initial stage. Mango trees now wear eye-catching looks in orchards and homesteads with huge tender mangoes hanging on. News reports quoting officials say if the weather conditions remain favourable and no major natural disaster occurs, about 250,000 tonnes of the fruit will be produced in Chapainawabganj district alone this year. Last year, mango production in the district was about 241,000 tonnes.
Although mango production continues to increase every year in the country, farmers at the grower level do not get proper price for their labour. As the fruits continue to grow, their ownership continues to be passed from one hand to another at different stages of the fruits. This deprives the base level growers of fair price of their produces.
Again the prices of the mango do not increase at the same pace the way the prices of other agro-products shoot up. Mango being a perishable product, farmers cannot hoard or store it for long. It looks the authorities are more concerned about increasing the production only. Its usage at various stages can help growers and the nation at large; for example, there may be more processing industries of making pickles, and diversified mango products and other food items with green and ripe mangoes. The mango processing industries may be located in the mango growing districts. Apart from ensuring diversified use of mango, the mango processing industries will create more jobs, and bring more money from abroad.
Bangladesh produces most tasty, juicy and quality mangoes which must be liked by all people. Export market for our mangoes should be explored at least among the countries having huge concentrations of Bangladeshi expatriates. Bangladesh thus can emerge as a mango exporting country in near future if the enormous prospects in the mango-farming sector are properly utilised and explored.
Md Kobad Hossain Sarker
Shibgonj, Chapainawabganj