Enthusiastic farmers in Rangpur agricultural region are preparing to start harvesting the delicious local variety of 'Haribhanga' mangoes from June 15, hoping for a bumper harvest and good profits this season.
Despite damage caused by hail and heavy rains during and after fruit setting periods, farmers and officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) are optimistic about a bumper production of 'Haribhanga' mangoes this year.
“We are expecting a bumper harvest of Rangpur's Geographical Indication (GI) product 'Haribhanga' mangoes this season,” Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur agricultural region Krishibid Md Shirajul Islam told BSS today.
As 'Haribhanga' mango has already been recognized as a GI product of Rangpur, there has been a huge demand for it locally and internationally, and many farmers have changed their fortunes by cultivating this fibreless delicious seasonal fruit.
Although all varieties of mangoes are cultivated in the region, the 'Haribhanga' mango has gained commercial fame and its commercial cultivation has changed the standard of living of many farmers and common people.
Farmers are generally producing around 38,000 tonnes to 40,000 tonnes of ‘Haribhanga’ mango from their orchards in over 2,556 hectares of land every year in all five districts of Rangpur agricultural region.
“Of them, they produce about 30,000 tonnes of ‘Haribhanga’ mangoes from orchards in about 1,950 hectares of land in Rangpur district alone annually,” Islam said, adding that farmers have brought about 2,000 hectares of land under its cultivation this season.
The mango is being cultivated extensively in Podaganj, Shukurerhat, Tilakpara, Kashimpur, Khoragachh, Paikarerhat, Rukniganj, Tekani, Moyenpur, Kadamtala, Lalpukur, Matherhat and other villages under Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur.
The highly tasty indigenous variety mango is also being cultivated in dozens of villages under Badarganj, Sadar, Pirganj, Gangachara, Taraganj, Pirgachha, Kawnia upazilas of Rangpur district.
The mango is also being cultivated in dozens of villages under all other seven upazilas of Rangpur and other places of Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts under Rangpur agricultural region.
Besides, cultivation of ‘Haribhanga’ mango is expanding fast in Parbatipur, Nababganj, Phulbari, Birampur and Chirirbandar upazilas of Dinajpur district.
Farmers and traders are expecting to make an excellent trade of 'Haribhanga' mango worth Taka 200 to 230 crore in Rangpur district alone this time.
According to market sources, the price of 'Haribhanga' mangoes ranges between Taka 50 and Taka 70 per kg during the initial stages of harvesting.
Thereafter, as the mango harvesting process progresses, the price also increases every day till the end of harvesting in July.
While visiting some 'Haribhanga' mango orchards in Mithapukur upazila, this BSS reporter found that farmers were preparing to harvest the mangoes and wholesalers were preparing to pack them in plastic cartons and market them across the country.
Mango orchard owners, sellers, people involved in orchard maintenance, seasonal mango sellers, online mango sellers, transport traders, and courier service traders are expected to become very busy in buying and selling mangoes very soon.
Mohammad Shahjahan Mia, a successful mango farmer from Tekani village in Mithapukur upazila, said that since 2012, he has changed his fortune by growing 'Haribhanga' mangoes in his garden and making more profit every year.
Abdus Salam, one of the pioneer 'Haribhanga' mango farmers from Akhirarhat village of the upazila, said that he has been cultivating this indigenous variety of mango since 1992 and has made significant contributions to expanding its cultivation in the Rangpur region.
Former President of Rangpur Chamber Mostafa Sohrab Chowdhury Titu told BSS that farmers are expanding ‘Haribhanga’ mango cultivation every year and attaining a sustainable agro-economy in Rangpur region in recent years.