Mango intercropping gains ground in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, May 3 (BSS): Mango intercropping with various cereal crops, especially paddy, has been gaining momentum in the region including its vast Barind tract, as the growers are becoming interested towards the farming.

In the wake of adverse impact of climate change, the farmers have been facing trouble to depend on only paddy cultivation for the last couple of years.

To get more income and to recoup the losses, they are cultivating paddy, onion, garlic, brinjal, mustard, turmeric and papaya with mango as intercropping. Getting excellent output, the farmers have created new more mango orchards in the new method.

According to the sources of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), the beneficiary farmers have cultivated mango in around 20,000 hectares of land in Rajshahi, Chapainawabgonj, Naogaon and Natore districts.

Dr Alim Uddin, Principal Scientific Officer of Fruit Research Station, said intercropping with sugarcane has been found more beneficial among the farmers, as it can boost total crop production per unit area coupled with ensuring sustainable mango cultivation with higher economic benefit compared to other crops.

Quoting the field-level research findings and farmers views, the mango researcher said systematic intercropping of paddy, onion, lentil, mug bean, garlic and some other winter crops, vegetables and spice helps to increase mango yield compared to sole cropping.

Dr Alim revealed that intercropping not only increases total crop production but also helps improve soil health and fertility with little or no negative effect on mango yield and quality.

Furthermore, intercropping creates additional job opportunity needed for intensive crop production, he added.

He underscored the need for expansion of mango intercropping through reactivating the field level agricultural officials and staff for the nation's food security.

The production of the juicy fruits increases each year, but unfortunately, not a single mango-processing plant has been established in the region since the independence of the country for the preservation of the fruits.