After mango, farmers start using guava bagging tech

FE Team | Published: July 02, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

RAJSHAHI, July 1 (BSS): For the first time in the region, the growers have started using fruit bagging technology in guava orchards in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj commercially during the current pre-harvest season to protect the cash crop from pest attack besides getting quality yield.
Earlier, they used the modern technology in some of the mango orchards attaining significant success in this regard.
According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, there are a large number of guava trees of different ages and varieties on some 0.2 million hectares in the region with creation of many new orchards and increased guava farming in the homesteads in recent years.
If the bags were used substantially, use of harmful chemical insecticides and pesticides could be reduced to a greater extent on the huge trees. Thereby, the technology will open up a new avenue of exporting mango of the two districts, famous for the fruit, to various foreign markets.
Scientists of Regional Horticulture Research Center (RHRC) in Chapainawabganj have released the technology among the growers this year after attaining a remarkable success in mango this year.
Already, a private organisation procured the specialised bags from China for supplying to the farmers at a cost of Tk 3-4 per bag.
Referring to his research findings Dr Saraf Uddin, Senior Scientific Officer of RHRC, told the local journalists that bagged fruits had high recovery of marketable fruits over the non-bagged ones.
Imported newspaper and thick waxy magazines resulted in fruits having the highest marketable yields in different seasons.
Brown paper bags and local newspaper with lorsban-impregnated plastic strips were also found promising. Results showed that the highest material and labour cost per 100 fruits was recorded on brown bag materials.
Besides, the materials can help reduce insect and disease damage and minimise quality defects of mango fruits. However, source and availability of these materials need to be considered. Brown paper bags and local newspapers are recommended only during dry season since these materials are easily destroyed during rainy days.