Magura mango growers smile even amid pandemic
Non-availability of outside fruit has come as a boon
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Coronavirus pandemic has not faded away smile of mango growers in Magura.
This year a bumper production of mango has been achieved in the district. Price of mango is high in the market at present. Bumper production and high price have sent a wave of joy among the mango growers in the district.
Department of agriculture extension (DAE) Magura sources informed, a total of 1,275 hectares land have been brought under mango cultivation in the district this year. A bumper production has been achieved in the district this season which is 18,540 metric tonnes.
Mango is being cultivated in the district commercially for about 10 years. Mainly Amropali, Harivanga, langra, Himsagor and Khirsha are cultivated in the district. Earlier, mangoes of north Bengal dominated the local market of the district . But mango market situation is an exception this year . Due to corona pandemic mangoes of outer parts of the district are hardly found in the district. Consequently local varities of mangoes are in great demand to Magura people this season.
Fazlur Rahman a mango grower in village Dhorla under Magura sadar upazila said , "This year I am picking up mangoes from my one bigha land . In the meantime, I have earned Tk one lakh and I am expecting more Tk 0.1 million (one lakh) from my mango. Every year mangoes of north Bengal used to dominate Magura market. But this year our local mangoes are dominating the market. Consequently we are getting fair price of our produce. This year we are selling Amropali at Tk 60 per kg as against Tk 40 last year while Harivanga at Tk 70 per kg as against Tk 50 last year".
Belal Hossen, a mango whole seller in Dhaka road area in Magura town said, "Every year we bring mangoes from north Bengal. But this year transport cost is about two times higher compared to that of last year due to prevailing corona pandemic. We are avoiding north Bengal mangoes. Non-availability of outside mangoes has come as a boon for local mango growers.
DAE, Magura training officer Shohrab Hossen said this year fortune is smiling upon the mango growers in the district. They are enjoying bumper mango production and high price. He added we have also ensured supply of chemical free mangoes in the district. People are purchasing and consuming mangoes in the district without fear and hesitation.