The Rajshahi district administration on Sunday announced May 15 as the official start date for mango harvesting in the current season.

The “Mango Calendar” was unveiled at a meeting held in the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room, presided over by Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam.

Mango growers, traders and officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension attended the meeting.

According to the calendar, harvesting of Guti mangoes will begin on May 15, followed by Gopalbhog on May 22.

Other varieties will be harvested according to the following schedule: Ranipachanda or Laxmanbhog from May 25, Himsagar or Khirsapat from May 30, Langra or Banana Mango from June 10, Amrapali and Fazli from June 15, BARI Mango-4 from July 5, Ashwina from July 10 and Gourmoti from July 15.

Katimon and BARI Mango-11 varieties, however, can be harvested throughout the year depending on ripeness.

The meeting warned that strict action would be taken against farmers or traders found harvesting unripe mangoes before the scheduled dates. However, if mangoes ripen earlier due to weather conditions, growers may market them after obtaining certification from the local upazila agriculture officer.

Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam said the calendar was prepared based on consultations with farmers, traders and agricultural officials to ensure consumers receive ripe and safe mangoes.

Deputy Director of the Rajshahi Agricultural Extension Department Md Mozdar Hossain said mango orchards currently cover around 18,000 hectares of land in Rajshahi.

He said average production stands at about 12 metric tonnes per hectare, with last season’s total output reaching around 216,000 metric tonnes. This year, the production target has been set at approximately 230,000 metric tonnes.