Rajshahi market faces mango shortage

Customers and traders are disappointed as there is no expected mango in Rajshahi market this time.

Sources said mango harvest has begun in Rajshahi on a small scale according to the announcement of the district administration for the current season.

Guti mangoes ripened earlier this year in the district’s Bagha upazila. Hence it was decided that this variety could be harvested from May 4.

Among other varieties, Gopalbhog can be harvested and marketed from May 15, Lakshmanbhog or Lakhna and Ranipchanda from May 20 and Himsagar or Khirshapati from May 25.

Then Langra variety from June 6, Fajli from June 15 and Amrapali from June 10 and Ashwina and Bari mango-4 from July 10. Apart from this, Gaurmati mangoes will be harvested from July 10 and Ilamati mangoes from August 20.

Katimon and Bari mango-11 can be collected throughout the year. The administration will take action if mangoes are found in the market before the scheduled time.

However, it was informed during Wednesday’s district administration meeting that if mangoes ripen before the scheduled time in someone’s garden, they should be reported to the administration.

However, the timing of mango harvesting in other districts of the division is not compatible with the schedule of Rajshahi district administration.

Shafiqul Islam, the owner of Sadia Enterprises, a mango-producing company in Pakuria village of Bagha upazila, said they exported the first batch of Guti mango harvest on May 4 to Hong Kong and Italy.

In response to a question, he said that they cultivated different types of mangoes on 200 bighas of land.

“Guti variety ripened early so we harvested them with administrative approval. Among the total harvest, 140 kg was sent to Hong Kong through ACI Logistics in Dhaka. And 300 kg were sent to Italy through Adab International,” he said adding that the price was fixed at Tk 100 per kg.

He further added that last year they exported about 36 tonnes of mangoes from their orchard to England, Germany, France, Denmark and Sweden. However, in the current season, they have taken the target of exporting 200 tonnes of mango.

Bagha Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiullah Sultan, told The Business Post that the Guti variety is a small breed of local mangoes. Due to their shelf life, they are better for export.

Anwar Hossain and Majid, mango growers of Bagatipara upazila of Natore district, said that the Guti varieties of their orchard have yet to ripen.

“It will take at least another 20-25 days for this variety to become harvestable. Besides, other mangoes will ripen after 15-20 days from the schedule of Rajshahi district administration,” Anwar said.

Ismail Khan Shamim, a mango grower in Chapainawabganj, said he cultivated Khirsapat, Langra, Fajli, Ashwina, Katimon, Amrapali, Lakna and Guti mangoes on 30 bighas of land this season.

“We start harvesting mangoes after at least 20 per cent of the fruits are ripe. It provides better weight and taste, and due to their high demand, we also get better prices,” he said adding that they will start harvesting mangoes 10-15 days after the scheduled time provided by the district administration.

In response to a question, he said one of the largest mango markets of the region is in Kansat union of Shibganj upazila. Most of the district’s mangoes are sold there.

Naogaon’s mango farmer Sohel said they cultivate Amrapali, Bari-4, Gourmati, Banana Mango, Katimon, Guti, Himsagar, Khirsapat and Nagfazli varieties are cultivated on their orchard of 150 bighas.

“We expect the Guti varieties will ripen by the end of this month. The other varieties usually become harvestable 20-25 days after that. Mangoes in our orchards ripen later than that of Rajshahi,” he said.

Rajshahi District Commissioner Shamim Ahmed said the schedule has been fixed after consulting related people so that the farmers can harvest and market mangoes on time.

“Buyers will look for mangoes according to the schedule. But this does not mean that farmers have to harvest and market mangoes on that exact date. They can harvest according to suitability,” he said.

He further said if the supply is less than demand a temporary crisis may occur. However, he assured that the situation will not last long as harvest will continue in various orchards of the district.

In response to another question, he said that the agriculture department has been instructed to find out whether a mango market can be established in Rajshahi like Chapainawabganj’s Kansat.