Govt plans to raise mango harvest by 5%

The government is planning to increase quality mango production by 5 per cent through proper agricultural management to export fresh mangoes.

It has also planned to use modern technologies to produce high quality and exportable mangoes that can increase the country’s export income.

“By exporting mango to different countries, the export earnings will increase along with an increase in the income of farmers who will produce export-oriented mango,” a senior official of the Planning Commission told The Business Post.

‘Khirshapat’, ‘Himsagar’ and ‘Lengra’ are the top varieties and most popular mangoes.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh exported mangoes worth $2.36 lakh to different countries in the fiscal year 2021-22.

In this regard, the Agriculture Ministry has taken a project titled ‘Exportable Mango Production’ and sent to the Planning Ministry for approval, the official said.

Around 25 to 30 per cent of mangoes are wasted every season during mango transportation, preservation and marketing due to the long distance between Dhaka and the mango producing districts, the project proposal said.

In the country, quality mangoes are produced in Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore, and Satkhira along with hilly districts. 72 varieties of mangoes are produced. The project aims to increase the capacity of farmers and agriculture officials to produce quality mango and preserve them.

The cost of the project is estimated at Tk 47.08 crore which will come from the government exchequer. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) will implement the project from July 2022 to June 2027.

The project will be implemented in 46 upazilas of 15 districts. These districts are Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore, Chapainawabganj, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari, Rangpur, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Jashore, Satkhira, Kushtia, Chuadanga and Meherpur.

The main components of the project are holding 2,300 mango exhibitions by using modern technology. 920 batches of farmer training along with training of 46 batches of exporters, marketers and other stakeholders will be held.

Besides, training of 10 batches of mango transporters will be held under the project. Training of 40 batches of DAE officials will be held. 10 officials and farmers will go to two mango export-oriented countries – Thailand and Vietnam – in two batches.

About the matter, the chief of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division of the Planning Commission, Md Foyzul Islam, said the project will help create jobs and encourage farmers to grow mangoes and earn forex.

“Besides, the waste of mango will be reduced by 10 per cent while the quality of this popular and delicious fruit will be ensured.”

Bangladesh is among the top 10 countries in the world in mango production and there is high demand for Bangladeshi mangoes in Europe, America and many other parts of the world.

There is sufficient production of mango in Bangladesh. But a large volume of the fruit gets wasted due to a lack of proper processing and storage system.

According to the Department of Agricultural Marketing, 20-30 per cent of mangoes are wasted during harvesting as both temperature and humidity remain high at the time.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), there are 2,35,000 acres of mango orchards in the country.

Generally, each tree produces 77 kilograms of mangoes on average.