BSS, Rajshahi :
The mangoes were intercropped on around 25,000 hectares of land in the northern region including its vast Barind tract as the farming technique is gaining popularity for its economical prospect.
“The farmers intercropped mangoes on around 25,000 hectares of land in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon and Natore districts,” said Dr Alim Uddin, Principal Scientific Officer of Fruit Research Station.
Many farmers are keen to intercrop the mangoes with other cereal crops especially paddy in the region including its vast Barind tract, he said.
To make more money, the farmers are seen taking intercropping method in cultivating paddy, onion, garlic, brinjal, mustard, turmeric and papaya with mangoes, he added.
Dr Alim said the intercropping with sugarcane has been found as more beneficial to the farmers as it can boost total production in per unit area with ensuring sustainable mango cultivation.
Quoting the field-level research findings and farmers’ views, the mango researcher said systematic intercropping of paddy, onion, lentil, mung bean, garlic and some other winter crops, vegetables and spice increases mango yield than normal.
“I have an eight-bigha intercropping mango orchard. I am getting additional income from the farming,” said Mosharraf Hossain, a farmer of Bagha Upazila in the district.
In a sense, the inter-cropping has brought a new dimension in the mango farming sector along with its production and marketing, he added.
Monzurul Huda, former director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), revealed that inter-cropping not only increases total crop production but also helps improve soil health and fertility with little or no negative effect on mango yield and quality.
He said inter-cropping also creates additional job opportunities.
He underscored the need for wide-range expansion of mango intercropping through reactivating the field level agricultural officials and staff for the nation’s food security. The production of the juicy fruits increases each year for its profitable aspect, but unfortunately, not a single mango-processing plant has been established in the region for the preservation of the fruits.
Mangoes grow almost everywhere in the district as Paba, Charghat and Bagha have a long-lasting tradition of producing quality mangoes.
Huda said various processed food-items particularly juice, soft drinks, pickles, jams and jellies can be manufactured through the processing of mangoes.
If possible, this sector can contribute a lot to the region’s economy as the processed foods are in enormous demand, apart from their high market values.
“Mango is a perishable item. So, it needs immediate consumption or processing for its value addition. Besides, various natural calamities like storms, hailstorms, gusty winds, tornadoes and droughts cause a significant portion of mangoes to fall out of trees,” Huda said.
However, the modern processing plant can protect mangoes from getting damaged, he said.
