Fruit-bagging method ensures quality mango production

For the last couple of years, fruit-bagging technology has been promoted in mango orchards in Rajshahi region, including its vast Barind tract, commercially to protect mango from pest attack besides facilitating the farmers to get quality yield.

Mango is the leading seasonal cash crop of the country's northwest region and dominates the economy in the region, particularly Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts, reports BSS.

Farmers said that the method can be applied in growing all mango varieties like Khirshapat, Gopalbhog, Langra, Amrapali, Gauromati, Fazli and Himsagar.

"Fruit-bagging method keeps fruits fresh and spot-free", said Abul Hossain of Premtali village under Godagari upazila. He said he spent Tk 1,24,800 to purchase the bag for 32,000 mangoes.

At present, only medium and large farms are using fruit bags as small farms remain unable to fund such an expense. Fruit bags are used during the months of April and May, just ahead of the paddy harvest.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources, there are about 3.1 million (31 lakh) mango trees of different ages and varieties on some 34,500 hectares in the region with creation of many more new mango orchards and increased mango farming in the homesteads in recent years.

If the bags are used substantially, use of harmful chemical insecticides and pesticides can be reduced to a greater extent on the huge trees. Thus the technology will open up a new door of exporting mangoes of the three districts famous for the delicious fruit to various foreign markets.

In addition, the bags help keep the mangoes dry inside a controlled temperature, which extends the fruit's longevity so that farmers can take them to the market at will.