Farmers eye record Haribhanga mango production this year

Farmers are expecting a bumper production of Haribhanga mango, a fibreless, fleshy and highly tasty local variety in Rangpur agriculture region this season.

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Rangpur city on Monday predicted a plentiful output of medium-sized ‘Haribhanga’ mango this season due to less rainfall after the flowering and during the fruit formation stages.

“Harvest of ‘Haribhanga’ mango already began from June 10 last and the process will continue till July next,” said Deputy Director of the DAE for Rangpur Agriculturist Md. Obaidur Rahman Mandal.

Farmers have cultivated different varieties of mangoes in 3,535 hectares of land in the district, including ‘Haribhanga’ mangoes in 1,905 hectares of land, this year.

“We are expecting a production of 35,000 tonnes of ‘Haribhanga’ mango worth about Taka 250 crore this season,” Mondal added.

During the last season, farmers cultivated ‘Haribhanga’ mango in 1,865 hectares of land in all eight upazilas of Rangpur and achieved a bumper production to reap huge profits.

“Commercial basis cultivation of ‘Haribhanga’ mango that has huge demand in local markets is expanding every year in Rangpur and its adjoining areas bringing self-reliance to hundreds of farmers,” he said.

‘Haribhanga’ mango is mostly being cultivated in the orchards in Akhirarhat, Khoragachh, Podaganj, Matherhat, Rangatipara, Bangaon, Paikarerhat, Rukniganj, Tekani, Moyenpur, Kadamtala, Lalpukur, Shukurerhat, Shikarpur, Phulchowki, Tilakpara, Kashimpur, Ucha Balua and many other villages in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur.

The mango is largely being cultivated on commercial basis in dozens of villages under all other seven upazilas of Rangpur and other places of Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts under Rangpur agriculture region.