Farmers eye record Haribhanga mango production this year

RANGPUR, May 26 (BSS): A record production of fibreless, fleshy and tasty 'Haribhanga' mango is likely in Rangpur agriculture region this season as its harvest begins from the middle of the next month.
Horticulture specialist of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) at its regional office here Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam predicted a super bumper output of the mango this time as a result of favourable climatic condition.
"The frequent rainfalls since April last helped a lot in smooth growth of the tender fruit resulting in producing comparatively big-size 'Haribhanga' mango having a huge demand both at home and abroad," he added.
More than 7,000 farmers have cultivated 'Haribhanga' mango on 3,700 hectares of land in all five districts of the region, including 2,500 hectares in Rangpur alone, this year.
"We are expecting a production of over 37,000 tonnes of 'Haribhanga' mango worth around Taka 296 crore in the region, including 25,000 tonnes worth Tk 2.0 billion in Rangpur district alone, this season," Islam added.
Last year, some 6,500 farmers produced over 32,000 tonnes of 'Haribhanga' mango worth Taka 256 crore from 3,200 hectares of land in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts under Rangpur agriculture region.
"This time farmers have brought 500 hectares more land under the cultivation of 'Haribhanga' mango than the last year in the region and the tender mangoes are growing superbly predicting a plentiful output," Islam added.
DAE Deputy Director Md Moniruzzaman said commercial basis cultivation of 'Haribhanga' mango is expanding every year in the region.
'Haribhanga' mango is mostly being cultivated in the orchards in Podaganj, Khoragach, Ruposhi, Rangatipara, Bangaon, Paikarerhat, Rukniganj, Tekani, Moyenpur, Kadamtola, Lalpukur, Shukurerhat, Sikarpur, Fulchowki, Tilakpara, Kashimpur, Ucha Balua, Matherhat and many other villages in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur.
The mango is largely being cultivated in dozens of villages under all other seven upazilas of Rangpur as well as other places of Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari district under Rangpur agriculture region.
"Besides, cultivation of 'Haribhanga' mango is expanding fast in Parbotipur, Nababganj, Fulbari, Birampur and Chirirbandar upazilas of Dinajpur and many other areas allover Rangpur division in recent years," Moniruzzaman added.
Talking to the news agency, Rangpur regional director of Agriculture Information Service Abu Sayem said harvest of 'Haribhanga' mango will begin from mid-June to continue till July next in the region.
'Haribhanga' mango cultivators Bablu Master, Golam Mostafa, Ansar Ali and Lutfar Rahman of different villages under Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur predicted a super bumper production of the mango this season.