RAJSHAHI, Sept 2, 2020 (BSS) – Scientists and researchers have urged field level officials to promote the native mango varieties through best uses of the modern technologies for boosting mango production.
“Growers should be taught on using modern techniques and post-harvest management so that they could be encouraged for cultivating native mango varieties to intensify its production,” Agriculture Ministry’s Additional Secretary Komolaranjan Das said.
He was addressing the opening session of a daylong training for trainers in the city as the chief guest.
Das said Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) has developed and released some high yielding mango varieties and put emphasis on using modern farming techniques and practicing postharvest management for increasing production.
Fruit Research Station (FRS) of BARI organized the training titled “Modern Techniques and Postharvest Management in Mango Production” at its conference hall on Tuesday through maintaining safety precautions amid the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Chaired by FRS Principal Scientific Officer Dr Alim Uddin, the session was addressed, among others, by Director (Research) of Bangladesh Sugar Crops Research Institute Dr Samajit Kumar Paul, Chief Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Dr Aminul Islam, FRS Senior Scientific Officer Dr Hassan Waliullah and Scientific Officer Dr Murshedul Bari.
Das said large-scale promotion of biorational pest management in mango farming has become crucial for boosting mango production side by side with reducing usages of toxic chemical pesticides and different insects and pests in the delicious fruit cultivation in the region.
He mentioned that the field level fruit researchers and scientists should discharge their duties with highest sincerity and honesty for disseminating the information about modern methods and technologies to farmers.
Das urged the participants to encourage and inspire the farmers to follow the modern guidelines of mango farming to get maximum outputs.
He said using chemical pesticides on farm lands is always harmful to soil and public health, crops and environment, adding that “So, it is urgent for promoting biorational pest management widely.”
He said BARI has developed a number of bio-rational-based integrated pest management technologies and has been reaching those to farmers level through various training and motivational programmes.