Yield good, but initial prices lower than expected

Mango harvesting for the current season kicked off in Rajshahi on Thursday (May 15) following the calendar earlier introduced by the district administration.

Until then the growers and traders were dissuaded from plucking and selling the fruit in markets.

In the early morning, farmers in various orchards of Rajshahi got busy plucking early-ripening varieties of mangoes, such as Sagarika, Chosha, Boishakhi, and Chapra.

Harvesting of these varieties, although not so much well-known having the quality of sweetness, clears the way for collection of the more popular ones expected to appear in markets later this month.

The mango harvesting season in Rajshahi formally begins with the collection of the Guti variety in accordance with the 'Mango Calendar' announced by the district administration.

Wholesale price of the Guti variety mango on the opening day ranged from Tk1,300 to Tk 1,500 per maund, while in retail markets, the price stood at Tk40 to Tk 50 per kg.

Despite good yield and quality this season, farmers noted that prices were slightly lower compared to the previous year.

According to the official Mango Calendar: Gopalbhog will be harvested from May 22, Lakhna (Laxmanbhog) and Ranipachhand from May 25, Himsagar and Khirsapat from May 30, Langra from June 10, Amrapali and Fazli from June 15, Bari-4 from July 5, Ashwina from July 10 and Gourmoti from July 15. Year-round harvesting is allowed for the varieties such as Khatimon and Bari-11.

Orchard owner Anwar Hossain from the Cantonment area said, "This year mangoes have ripened right on time, and the calendar issued by the administration fits the natural cycle well."

Another grower from Puthia, Ashiqur Rahman, said, "Yield is good this year, but initial prices are lower than expected."

Data from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) shows that mangoes have been cultivated on 19,603 hectares in Rajshahi this year.

The average yield is estimated at 13.26 tonnes per hectare, with a total expected production of 260,006 tonnes, valued at approximately Tk1,695.86 crore.

Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter told the FE that the administration's priority is to ensure that safe and mature mangoes are harvested and marketed.

In the event of natural disasters, growers can seek approval from respective Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) for early harvesting, she said.

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