Rajshahi: Most of the growers and others concerned are now seen passing their busiest days in nursing and caring for trees with hope of getting cherished mango yield during the coming harvesting season of the most popular fruit in the region. Mango, a leading seasonal cash crop of the northwestern region, dominates the economy in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Naogaon districts. The fruit setting process of mango is going on smoothly amid favorable climatic conditions predicting bumper production of the most popular fruit in the region.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the fruit setting stage is progressing well and the mango trees have started wearing eye-catching looks in the orchards, gardens, and homestead areas amidst favorable climatic conditions. After witnessing the present condition, both the growers and the officials are very much optimistic about the high yield of the seasonal fruit. Mozammel Haque, a mango grower of Nandangachhi village under Charghat Upazila, has sprayed pesticides on the mango trees to protect them from pest attack and ensure good sprouting. He remains hopeful for good production if favorable weather prevails.
Principal Scientific Officer of Fruit Research Station Dr. Shafiqul Islam informed BSS that the prevailing climatic conditions are suitable for mango flowering and budding. Thousands of mango trees have already worn eye-catching looks with huge blooms. Flowering began in the middle of January and continues till the middle of this month. Around 70 to 75 percent of mango trees have already sprouted buds due to the favorable climate prevailing for farming.
Dr. Islam expressed hope for a bumper mango production following massive blooms if the climatic conditions, fluctuations in temperatures, rainfalls, and pest and insect attacks remain favorable for the next few months. He noted that over 75 percent of mango trees have bloomed abundantly during this season on average, and the fruit setting stage is progressing well. Farmers are contacting the officials and experts to take extensive care for better growth of the tender mangoes.
Many grassroots mango farmers have been trained to yield maximum output and ensure safe production through the best use of modern technologies. The farmers received training on how to protect mangoes from immature dropping from trees. Dr. Azizur Rahman, additional director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), also informed BSS that the farmers are taking measures to make mango farming successful everywhere.
The farmers are seen consulting agriculture officers at the field levels to control possible attacks by hoppers and other pests on the mango flowers, if any, for better mango fruit formations and production. A proper and sustainable management plan has become an urgent need to save mango flowers and fruit from premature dropping, which poses significant challenges to gardeners and businessmen. Agriculturist Dr. Razzaque noted that premature flower and fruit drop is a nightmare for the gardeners, but the problem can be mitigated by following prescribed guidelines properly.
To address the issue, field-level agricultural extension and research officials, farmers, and others concerned are working together by making the best use of modern technologies. There are around 35 lakh mango trees of different ages on some 23 thousand hectares of land in the region. The number of growing mango trees has been increasing in the region over the last couple of years.
Mango farming, a leading seasonal cash crop of the northwestern region, is vitalizing the overall economy of the region. The farming of mangoes has been increasing every year, and gardeners are earning significant profits by cultivating high-yielding and hybrid varieties like Amrapali alongside traditional and popular indigenous varieties. Farmers and villagers have been showing more interest in mango farming, one of the most important seasonal cash crops of the region, in recent years to increase production and achieve economic well-being.