The first shipment of Bangladeshi mangoes to China will be dispatched within this month, Agriculture Secretary Md Emdad Ullah Mian announced on Wednesday.
“Following Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus's recent visit to China, the government has intensified efforts to export agricultural products, especially mangoes, to the Chinese market. A shipment of mangoes will be sent from Bangladesh to China this month,” he said while speaking at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.
The secretary said the government has undertaken a long-term plan to make mango exports to China sustainable and timely. “This initiative is part of a broader food security strategy aimed at ensuring safe and nutritious food for all by 2050.”
He noted that the plan is expected to be finalised during the tenure of the current interim government.
Bangladesh produces around 2.7 million tonnes of mangoes annually, the secretary said. At present, the country exports mangoes to several destinations, and efforts are ongoing to explore new markets for mangoes as well as jackfruit and other fruits.
The government is implementing various projects and incentive schemes to support mango growers with the goal of expanding exports to China and other global markets, he added.
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To modernise agriculture, the government is working to make the sector more science- and technology-driven, Emdad said. As part of this effort, all services under the Ministry of Agriculture will be integrated into a unified Management Information System (MIS).
He also revealed that a mobile app titled ‘Khamari’ is being launched, which will include a database of every land plot in the country. The app will provide farmers with season-based crop advice and detailed support on fertiliser, seeds, pesticides, irrigation, crop diversity, weather updates, and disease management — from planting to harvesting.
Additionally, the agriculture secretary informed that overall crop production this year has been satisfactory, with good yields of paddy and other crops. Modern cold storage facilities are being developed to preserve perishable vegetables, potatoes, and onions.
Recalling the flash floods that caused extensive crop damage in 23 districts last August, Secretary Emdad said the government provided special incentives and close supervision to support affected farmers and help them recover.
He further noted that timely and effective government measures have allowed the country to clear outstanding dues on fertilizer imports, ensuring stable fertiliser supplies. “There is currently no fertiliser crisis in the country,” he added.
The press briefing was also attended by Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, and Md Mahmudur Rahman, additional secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture.