Saju Naogaon Correspondent : Mango production in Naogaon is on the rise each year. Due to a shortage of water in the area, coupled with a strong market demand and favorable yields, farmers are increasingly turning to mango cultivation. This year, Naogaon district is expected to lead in mango production, as reported by local farmers and the agriculture department. They anticipate a trade value of approximately 4,000 crore taka this year. The schedule for mango collection has been established. Should the mangoes ripen prior to the designated date, a certificate must be obtained from the relevant authorities for collection.

This year, mangoes have been cultivated across 30,300 hectares in the district, marking an increase of 300 hectares from the previous year. The production target has been set at 3,68,435 metric tons, with expectations of a trade value around 4,000 crore taka this year.

According to the District Agricultural Extension Department, the predominant variety cultivated in this district is amrapali, which constitutes about 70 percent of the total mango production. Additionally, other commercially grown mango varieties in Naogaon include Bari-4, Langra, Gaurmati, Ashwina, Himsagar, Gopalbhog, and Katimon. To ensure the quality of Naogaon mangoes, the collection period has been predetermined. Mango harvesting commenced on May 22nd with the Guti variety, followed by Gopalbhog on May 30th. Furthermore, Khirshapat and Himsagar will be harvested on June 2nd, Nag Fazli on June 5th, Langra and Haribhanga on June 10th, Banana Mango and Fazli mango on June 25th, and Mango Rupali on June 18th, while Ashwina, Bari-4, and Gaurmati varieties will be collected on July 10th.In this regard, at a meeting on May 12th to determine the collection period for different varieties of mangoes, Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Abdul Awal said that unripe mangoes cannot be collected or taken to the market before the specified time. However, if the mangoes ripen earlier due to weather conditions, mango farmers can reschedule the date and collect mangoes earlier as per the instructions of the concerned upazila administration and agriculture department. To prevent mango adulteration, the administration will keep special vigil in various markets including Sadar Bazar of Sapahar Upazila, Nochnahar of Porsha, Saraigachhi, the largest mango market in the region before transportation.

Deputy Director of the Naogaon Agricultural Extension Department, Abul Kalam Azad, says that mango cultivation is increasing day by day in this district due to water shortage and good prices in the Barendra region of Naogaon. Although mangoes are cultivated on about 7,000 hectares more land in Chapainawabganj than in Naogaon, the yield is higher because the mango orchards in Naogaon are new. Therefore, although this district is the second largest in terms of area of ​​cultivation, Naogaon is the first in production, he claims.