Md Joynal Abedin Khan :
The demand for ensuring preservation facilities like cold storage by mango farmers in Chapainawabganj, known as the mango capital in the country, is now growing as lack of such facilities results in deprivation of fare price of the produces.
The farmers are also aggrieved that they could not avail themselves of the scope for export because of the absence of such preservation facilities.
Although they prefer mango farming to cultivating rice for gaining more profit, they are worried for the future of the mango farming.
They say adequate number of cold storages can help them sustain in the rising market.
They also allege that the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Regional Horticulture Research Station (RHRS) and non-government organizations (NGOs) are almost indifferent to develop mango farming.
According to DAE officials, around 1,24,000 households are cultivating mangoes on 26,150 hectors of land this year.
Mango production will exceed the target of 2,40,000 tonnes this year as the harvesting process is still continuing in fare weather.
However, some fruits have damaged in five unions in Shibganj upazila in the district.
Around 2,38,000 tonnes of mango was produced in the district last year, while about 1,24,500 tonnes of mango were produced in 2015.
Another DAE source said there are 28 lakh 87 thousand and 836 mango trees on 23,700 hectares of land in the district whereas Shibganj upazila alone has 13 lakh 12 thousand and 855 mango trees on 12,785 hectares of land.
The mango capital has a long tradition of producing at least 150 varieties of high quality tasty mangoes including fazli, langra, gopalbhog, khirshapat, khirshabhog, lakhna, bombai, mohananda, mohanbhog and ashwina.
Monzurul Huda, Deputy Director of Chapainawabganj DAE, told The New Nation, “Growers have been extremely leaning to mango farming for the last few years to get huge profit. As a result, the paddy filed is decreasing alarmingly.”
The DAE official also pointed out that the surplus mango after meeting the domestic demand can be exported. “China, Japan and Malaysia might be our new export destinations. We are also exploring market for mangoes to earn foreign currencies.”
The official also stressed the need for augmenting preservation facilities.
On a query, he said, “The government has no special budgetary allocation for the mango sector. Bangladesh Bank is keen to lend to mango farmers.”
Dr Soraf Uddin, senior scientific office at the Regional Horticulture Research Station in Rajshahi, told The New Nation, “We are trying to increase mango production by developing dozens of new species and saving those from insects.”
According to him, the region has a long history of mango production and grows at least 350 varieties of the fruit. Mango is now the most important cash crop in the region. The livelihoods of many people depend heavily on mangoes.
The district of Chapainawabganj produces mango worth Tk 2,500-3,000 crore every year, said Abdul Wahed, president of Chapainawabganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Abu Taleb, President of Cancert Mango Orchards Coordinattion Committee, told The New Nation: “Setting up of cold storages is the prime demand of the cultivators to sustain in the competitive market.”
The proper development of transports and communication system will ensure fare price, as mangoes are perishable item, he said. The poor growers take advance money (Dadon) from some persons and companies after giving bondage to recover the loss, he also pointed out.
He suggested that the agriculture offices give proper guideline to the mango growers.
Mosiul Karim, owner of 50 bighas of land in Nachol, said he has a plan to turn his all paddy fields into mango orchards but he seeks government support and preservation facilities.
“It is time to search for export market as production of mangoes has already increased as per demand of the county, which will help farmers to earn fare price,” he said.
The demand for ensuring preservation facilities like cold storage by mango farmers in Chapainawabganj, known as the mango capital in the country, is now growing as lack of such facilities results in deprivation of fare price of the produces.
The farmers are also aggrieved that they could not avail themselves of the scope for export because of the absence of such preservation facilities.
Although they prefer mango farming to cultivating rice for gaining more profit, they are worried for the future of the mango farming.
They say adequate number of cold storages can help them sustain in the rising market.
They also allege that the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Regional Horticulture Research Station (RHRS) and non-government organizations (NGOs) are almost indifferent to develop mango farming.
According to DAE officials, around 1,24,000 households are cultivating mangoes on 26,150 hectors of land this year.
Mango production will exceed the target of 2,40,000 tonnes this year as the harvesting process is still continuing in fare weather.
However, some fruits have damaged in five unions in Shibganj upazila in the district.
Around 2,38,000 tonnes of mango was produced in the district last year, while about 1,24,500 tonnes of mango were produced in 2015.
Another DAE source said there are 28 lakh 87 thousand and 836 mango trees on 23,700 hectares of land in the district whereas Shibganj upazila alone has 13 lakh 12 thousand and 855 mango trees on 12,785 hectares of land.
The mango capital has a long tradition of producing at least 150 varieties of high quality tasty mangoes including fazli, langra, gopalbhog, khirshapat, khirshabhog, lakhna, bombai, mohananda, mohanbhog and ashwina.
Monzurul Huda, Deputy Director of Chapainawabganj DAE, told The New Nation, “Growers have been extremely leaning to mango farming for the last few years to get huge profit. As a result, the paddy filed is decreasing alarmingly.”
The DAE official also pointed out that the surplus mango after meeting the domestic demand can be exported. “China, Japan and Malaysia might be our new export destinations. We are also exploring market for mangoes to earn foreign currencies.”
The official also stressed the need for augmenting preservation facilities.
On a query, he said, “The government has no special budgetary allocation for the mango sector. Bangladesh Bank is keen to lend to mango farmers.”
Dr Soraf Uddin, senior scientific office at the Regional Horticulture Research Station in Rajshahi, told The New Nation, “We are trying to increase mango production by developing dozens of new species and saving those from insects.”
According to him, the region has a long history of mango production and grows at least 350 varieties of the fruit. Mango is now the most important cash crop in the region. The livelihoods of many people depend heavily on mangoes.
The district of Chapainawabganj produces mango worth Tk 2,500-3,000 crore every year, said Abdul Wahed, president of Chapainawabganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Abu Taleb, President of Cancert Mango Orchards Coordinattion Committee, told The New Nation: “Setting up of cold storages is the prime demand of the cultivators to sustain in the competitive market.”
The proper development of transports and communication system will ensure fare price, as mangoes are perishable item, he said. The poor growers take advance money (Dadon) from some persons and companies after giving bondage to recover the loss, he also pointed out.
He suggested that the agriculture offices give proper guideline to the mango growers.
Mosiul Karim, owner of 50 bighas of land in Nachol, said he has a plan to turn his all paddy fields into mango orchards but he seeks government support and preservation facilities.
“It is time to search for export market as production of mangoes has already increased as per demand of the county, which will help farmers to earn fare price,” he said.
