ZCZC
BSS-03
MANGO-GROWERS-HOPEFUL (with picture)
Fruit setting makes mango growers hopeful in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI, April 4, 2019 (BSS)- Growers and businessmen have become hopeful
about the ensuing mango production as its fruit setting process is going on
successfully at present in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts, nationwide
famous for the delicious seasonal fruit.
Shamsul Haque, Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture Extension, here
told BSS that fruit setting stage is progressing now well and the mango trees
have started wearing eye-catching looks in the orchards, gardens and
homestead areas amidst favourable climatic condition.
He mentioned that over 85 percent mango trees were bloomed abundantly
during this season’s flowering time on an average.
The present climatic condition especially frequent rainfall is very helpful
for the fruit setting process. “We are expecting more mango yield this year
than that of the previous year. Field level officials and staffs concerned
remained careful to help the farmers to protect the cash crop from any pest
attack,” he added.
Agriculturist Haque says the farmers are also contacting the officials and
experts to take extensive care for better growth of the tender mangoes.
Mango, a leading seasonal cash crop of the northwestern region, dominates
the economy in the two districts.
Monwar Hossain, a farmer of Nandangachhi village under Charghat Upazila in
the district, said the fruit setting stage is progressing well. “I have
sprayed pesticides on the mango trees to protect those from premature
dropping and pest attack. I’m hopeful of good production if favourable
weather prevails,” he added.
“We have witnessed plenty of sprouting in the initial stage. Green mangoes
have appeared in the trees at present,” said Hafizur Rahman, another farmer
of Habashpur village under Bagha Upazila in the district.
Mango farmer and trader Saiful Islam of the same area says a tender aged
tree yields two to three mounds of mango while a big size tree doubles the
figure worth around Taka 4,000.
He mentioned that mangoes of indigenous varieties will start appearing in
the local markets from mid of next month while the lucrative varieties like
Gopalbhog, Langra and Khirshapat by first week of June.
Dr Alim Uddin, Principal Scientific Officer of Rajshahi Fruit Research,
suggests the farmers for proper nursing of their orchards and gardens at this
stage and controlling pests’ attacks, if any with temperature rise, by mango
hoppers now, or sometime later by weevil or other insects for better mango
production.
He says there are about 30 lakh mango trees of different ages and
varieties on some 32,816 hectares in the region with creation of many mango
orchards and increased mango farming in the homesteads in recent years.
Dr Alim hoped for a bumper mango production following massive blooms if the
climatic conditions, fluctuations in temperatures, rainfalls, attack by pests
and insects remain normal for the next few months.
If the extents of seasonal nor’westers remain within the tolerable limits,
there is a huge possibility of achieving a record bumper production of all
varieties mango this season, the experts predicted.
He added that the farmers have been showing more interests in mango farming
in recent years to increase its productions get huge profits in achieving
their economic wellbeing everywhere.
BSS/SPL/AH/MR/ 1133 hrs