Terming farmers as the heart of the country, Bangladesh's Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar on Tuesday (May 30, 2023) said that the aim of the government is to stand by the farmers. "Whether they cultivate mango or paddy, the interest of the farmers must be protected,” the minister said at the inauguration ceremony of mango harvesting and marketing in 2023 season in Sapahar's Godown Para area on Tuesday. The Food Minister said under the leadership of the Prime Minister, there has been a bumper yield of Boro, Aman paddy and mangoes as well and farmers are getting a fair price for paddy. "I hope they will also get a fair price for mangoes,” he added. Sadhan Chandra said now the supply of local fruits is quite good. “Dollars will be saved if fruits are not imported from abroad and the nutritional value of local fruits is also high.” Read more: Bumper yield of Boro paddy satisfies Madaripur farmers “There is an opportunity to export various fruits and we are exporting mangoes. As a result, mango farmers are benefiting. But the problem is that foreigners want to know whether the mangoes are safe or not. We cannot show them certificate.” He hoped that in future it will be possible to export more mangoes with certificate from the safe food directorate. Chaired by Sharmin Jahan, assistant commissioner (land) of Sapahar, Upazila Parishad Chairman Md. Shahjahan Hossain, Upazila Awami League President Md. Shamsul Alam Shah Chowdhury and agricultural worker Shapla Khatun were present  atthe programme. Later, the minister inaugurated the Fish Chattar in Jabai Beel and the Joy Bangla Chattar on the Upazila Parishad premises. Read more: Salinity-tolerant rice cultivation brings delight to Barguna farmers

Immature mangoes flooded Satkhira wholesale markets as mango growers harvested different varieties of the juicy fruit in advance fearing possible loss due to cyclone 'Ashani'. According to the growers and businessmen, the mangoes of Satkhira have fame across the globe as businesses export mangoes from the district to many countries including those in Europe. Read: Rajshahi 'to own' Fazli mangoes

The Rajshahi district administration fixed May 15 to begin mango harvest this year with the Guti variety. The harvest date for harvesting Gopalbhog has been fixed from May 20; Ranipasand and Laxmanbhog from May 25; Khirsapat or Himsagar from May 28; Lengra from June 6; Amrapali, Fazli and Surma Fazli from June 15; and Ashwina and Ashwina-4 varieties from July 10. A meeting at the DC office decided on the dates on Thursday. Read Chapainawabganj mango growers pin hope on weather Strict action will be taken against harvesting unripe mangoes. The administration and police will monitor the harvesting procedures strictly. However, due to the change in weather, if mango ripens in any area before the stipulated time, farmers will be able to harvest them after informing the concerned upazila administration. Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Md Abdul Jalil said that the harvesting of unripe mangoes was stopped in the last few years by fixing the date of harvest. Read Mango collection to start in Natore from May 20 "Besides, we’ve managed to convince our customers that no chemicals are used to ripen mangoes in Rajshahi," he said. On the other hand, unripe mangoes are falling down from the trees due to continuous heatwaves sweeping across the district. While talking to UNB, many farmers expressed concerns about not achieving the expected yield this year. Read Drought dashes dreams of litchi growers in Kushtia However, the agriculture department has assured that although surplus production might not be achievable this year, there is no doubt about reaching the target.

The Rajshahi district administration has fixed May 15 for beginning mango harvest.