The use of modern farming techniques and practising postharvest management can be an effective means of maximizing the immense potentiality of mango production in the region.
Besides, utmost emphasis should be given to bringing the growers under need-based training and knowledge sharing on using modern techniques and post-harvest management so that they could be benefited more.
Scientists and researchers came up with the observation while addressing a daylong farmers' training titled "Modern Techniques and Postharvest Management in Mango Production" in the city Tuesday.
Fruit Research Station (FRS) of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) organised the training at its conference room discussing and devising ways and means how to disseminate and reach modern mango farming techniques among the grassroots farmers.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Komolaranjan Das addressed the training as the chief guest while FRS Principal Scientific Officer Dr Alim Uddin was in the chair.
Director-General of Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute Dr Golam Faruque and its Principal Scientific Officer Dr Iliash Hossain and FRS Senior Scientific Officers Dr Hassan Waliullah and Khandaker Habibul Alam also spoke, disseminating their expertise on the issue.
Komolaranjan Das mentioned that the field-level fruit researchers and scientists should discharge their duties with the highest sincerity and honesty in disseminating the information about modern methods and technologies to the farmers.
He said large-scale promotion of biorational pest management in mango farming has become crucial for boosting the mango production side by side with reducing usages of toxic chemical pesticides and different insects and pests in the delicious fruit cultivation of the region.
Mr Das urged the attending farmers to follow the guidelines of the field-level agricultural officials and scientists during mango farming.
He said using chemical pesticides on farmlands is always harmful to soil and public health, crops and the environment, adding: "So, it is urgent for promoting biorational pest management widely."
Dr Alim Uddin said BARI has developed a number of bio-rational-based integrated pest management technologies and has been reaching those farmers' levels through various training and motivational programmes.
There is no alternative to bringing all the mango farmers under requisite awareness for the promotion of modern technologies to make the mango harvesting and marketing process safe and hygienic.
He said modern technologies need to be promoted commercially in mango orchards in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts during the coming pre-harvest season to protect mango from pest attacks besides facilitating the farmers to get quality and better yield.
Mango is the leading seasonal cash crop of the country's northwest region and dominates the economy in the two districts, famous for the delicious fruit.
Around 40 mango farmers in the district joined the training.
