Haribhanga mango growers hopeful of good yield

OUR CORRESPONDENT
RANGPUR, May 23: Growers of Rangpur's popular Haribhanga mangoes, which is incomparable in taste and aroma, are hopeful of securing good yield this season.
Like every year, this Geographical Indication (GI) product, cultivated on 3,000 hectares out of the total mango cultivation on 3,500 hectares in the district, will be available in market from the second week of June. The fruit received its GI status on February 12, 2024.
Currently, the mangoes have not yet started to ripen on the tree. However, official sources at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Rangpur, states if the weather remains congenial, the mango can be harvested earlier.
According to DAE and cultivator sources, the buds of the Haribhanga mango usually appear between the months of December and January. After that, farmers can harvest the mango in at least five to six months.
Presently, growers are passing busy time in taking care of the Haribhanga mango trees with the optimism to get their expected yield. This year, the average expected yield is at 10-12 tonnes per hectare, according to sources at the DAE.
Sources said that sufficient rain has helped the mangoes grow bigger and juicier. Although the fruit in some areas suffered minor damage due to hailstorm and nor'wester, the overall yield is expected to be better than last year. Mithu, a mango grower at Padaganj area in Mithapukur Upazila in Rangpur, told the FE that he has about 280 Haribhanga mango trees in his one acre of orchard. He is expecting to harvest more than 400 maunds of mangoes.
Bakul Mia, a farmer of Balua Mashimpur area of Mithapukur Upazila said he has a Haribhanga mango orchard on one bigha of land and his fruits have 'grown well'. He expects an excellent yield and good price if the weather remains conducive.
Some mango growers at Badargonj, Taragonj and Mithapukur upazilas in the district said they have been cultivating Haribhanga mangoes for a long time. They repeatedly raised demands in various meetings and seminars for the establishment of cold storage for preserving Haribhanga mango, the implementation of modern farming methods, and the establishment of research centers for a sustainable economy. But these demands have remained ignored. They also put emphasis on specialised transportation facilities for Harbhanga mango.
"If the government pays more attention to prioritising the Haribhanga mango, the economy of this region will be significantly strengthened," they added.
Md. Sirajul Islam, additional director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Rangpur, said, "We expect that this year, the Haribhanga growers will get a satisfactory yield as well as a good price for their produce.
He said this year is an 'on year' for Haribhanga mango, meaning there are more mangoes on the trees than there were last year. "Haribhanga mangoes are fibreless, sweet and delicious. Its peel is thin and the pit is very small. Each mango usually weighs 200-300 grams. Growers are given necessary support from the DAE officials," he added.
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