KHIRSAPAT variety of mango of Chapainawabganj, popularly known as Himsagar, has got Geographical Indication tag as the third Bangladeshi product after Hilsa and Jamdani. Industries Minister handed over the GI certificate to Chief Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute at a ceremony held at the Industries Ministry on Sunday. BARI applied for GI certification for the mango variety in February last year on behalf of the growers of Chapainawabganj, one of the main mango-producing districts.
The Minister said, “We have an opportunity to earn huge foreign exchange by processing delicious mangoes. Other traditional Bangladeshi products, including different varieties of mangoes, should also get registered as GI products soon.” He also instructed the Patents, Designs and Trademarks Directorate to issue GI certificate in favour of Chapainawabganj’s ‘Ashwina’ and ‘Lengra’ varieties of mangoes.
We do congratulate the authorities concerned for their timely initiatives in getting the GI certificate. The efforts of scientists, who conduct research on mangoes, are also praiseworthy. Hopefully, the GI recognition will benefit mango growers, traders and agro-based entrepreneurs. Country’s northern belt, particularly Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, are famous for mangoes for long. After this achievement, the government should continue its support to mango related research and agro-based industrialisation. If so, the production of mangoes would be increased. The Agricultural Extension Department can also take initiatives to find out new places for mango production.
Khirsapat mangoes’ are the tastiest mango which produce up to 20-25 per cent of the total mango in the country each season. Last year, about 3500 metric tonnes Khirsapat mangoes were produced on 3400 acres and in Chapainawabganj. We think that the farmers will become keener to cultivate it after the GI certification. After meeting the demands of local markets, the mangoes could be exported to different countries, including Europe and the Middle East.
