Mango yield in Rajshahi district, known as the capital of mango, have been affected due to the prevailing severe heat wave condition and lack of rains, causing anxiety among farmers and traders. The district and many other regions of the country have been experiencing intense heat wave for about a month, which has caused the water bodies and ponds in the Barind region to dry up, resulting in the early drop of mangoes and litchi pods. Local mango growers and traders said the amount of buds in the mango trees of the district was much less than the previous year.Crop lands have been dried up due to absence of rains which is affecting mango and litchi production as well, they said. Already 30 percent mango pods have been dropped, said the mango growers. Gazipur train derailment: Salvage operation still on 24 hours post-collision According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), this year, a total of 19,602 hectares of land have been brought under mango cultivation, which is 24 hectares more than the previous year. The DAE authorities set a target to produce 2,60,164 tonnes of mangoes this year. But it is feared that even half of the target won’t be achieved due to the high rate of mango dropping. Bagha and Charghat upazilas of Rajshahi district are top in mango production but this year farmers are worried over possible losses.Abdul Mannan, a mango grower of Bagha upazila, said “Mangoes are produced in large quantities in Bagha upazila. But this year, most of the trees lack mangoes, making the farmers and traders disappointed. About 30 percent of the mango pods have dropped due to drought. Mango traders are worried about getting back the production cost.” Fear of fruit failure grips mango growers in Chapainawabganj as heatwave Intensifies Dr Shafiqul Islam, chief scientific officer of Rajshahi Fruit Research Centre, said, “The quantity of pods is good and if those sustain there is a possibility of good yield. But who can say about the heat wave? The current heat wave is causing problem not only for mangoes but also for litchi. To produce any crops, fruits and vegetables, water is needed. If there is a shortage of water, all of these will be affected.” Umme Salma, assistant director of Rajshahi DAE, said “Mangoes fall for different reasons, even rains cause fall of mango pods. This year small trees have enough mangoes while big ones have a little less. But dropping mango pods is normal. Farmers who failed to nurture the trees properly are witnessing more fall of mangoes.”

Mango farmers in Chapainawabganj district are bracing for potential losses this season, with significantly fewer buds observed on trees, particularly affecting larger trees amid challenging weather conditions. This year's reduced bud bloom could mark the season as a mango-off year, a phenomenon where production alternates annually between high and low yields due to natural growth cycles and external factors. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources indicate that cold weather is to blame for the decreased number of mango buds in the district. However, there is optimism that warmer temperatures could encourage more buds to bloom. Off-season Gourmoti mangoes could be profitable for Thakurgaon The region, known for its extensive mango orchards spanning 37,604 hectares, produced 443,625 metric tonnes of mangoes last year. Mango bud formation typically occurs from early Magh to mid-Falgun, but this year's expected bloom has been hampered by the prevailing cold. Mango farmer Abdur Rakib from Chapainawabganj municipality notes that diligent tree care can yield better bud production, even in an off year. Yet, the cost of cultivation might outweigh profits due to the reduced number of buds. Rakib also highlights the risk of natural calamities, which could further impact growers already facing low bud counts.

Gourmoti, a new off-season variety of mango, could be profitable for Thakurgaon. Two mango farmers, Mahabbat Ali and his nephew Bulbul Ali, of Dakkhin Bangaon area in Ranishankail upazila have succeeded in producing the Gourmoti variety of mangoes. This variety gained popularity in the area due to its sweetness and deliciousness. Farmers expected to sell the mangoes worth Tk 40 lakh this season. Bangladesh exports 2,700 tons of mangoes to 34 countries in current season Mahabbat Ali told the UNB correspondent that he along with his nephew Bulbul planted 1000 saplings of late variety mangoes on 14 bigha of land four years back. During a recent visit to the mango orchard, this correspondent found that they used fruit bags in their orchard and a total of 400-450 maund of mangoes were to be harvested from the trees. The weight of each mango is 650-800 grams and per maund mango is being sold at Tk 10,000-12,000. Clash over ‘selling rotten mangoes’ leaves 75-year-old dead in Lalmonirhat Many thronged the orchard of Mahabbat-Bulbul and showed interest in growing this variety of mangoes. Shahidul Islam, Ranishankail Upazila Agriculture Officer, said, “This variety of mango tastes sweet and the farmers can sell them in the local market at a higher price due to its availability during off season.” Langra and Ashina mangoes recognised as GI product He also assured of providing all necessary support to farmers who wanted to grow this variety of mango on their land.

Mango growers and traders in the western district of Chuadanga have been left disappointed as the prices of their produces are low comparing to the previous years. This situation caused concerns among them, who fear incurring losses if the wholesale market continues to perform poorly. Following the availability of Ati, Guti, and Bombay varieties mangoes in the market, Himsagar mangoes have now entered the market in the district. According to the 'Mango Calendar' created by the Chuadanga District Administration and Agriculture Department, the collection and marketing of mangoes in the district commenced on May 14. However, the sales of Ati, Guti, and Bombay verities mangoes during the first week of the harvest did not meet expectations, said local farmers and traders. Also Read: Mango export begins with 10 tonnes to 4 countries Later, the harvest and marketing of Himsagar mango began on May 22. Despite an abundance supply of mangoes in the market, demand remained remarkably low, they said. Wholesale prices for Bombay mangoes ranged from Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,200 per maund, while Ati and Guti mangoes were selling for Tk 350 to Tk 500 per maund, depending on size and quality, they said. On the other hand, Himsagar mangoes were being sold at Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,400 per maund. In the retail market, the prices per kilogram were TK 45 to 50 for Himsagar, TK 40 to 45 for Bombay, and TK 15 to 20 for Anti and Guti. Read more: Mango harvest begins in Natore with Gopalbhog variety At the beginning of last year's season, Himsagar mangoes were sold in the wholesale market at rates ranging from Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,400 per maund. Similarly, Bombay mangoes were sold between Tk 1,600 and Tk 2,000 per kg, while Ati and Guti mangoes fetched prices of Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,400. This year, however, prices have decreased by nearly half. According to sources from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a total of 2,465 hectares land were brought under mango cultivation in the current season and 28,265 metric tonnes are expected to be produced. As per the mango calendar, Lengra mangoes will be harvested and marketed on May 25, followed by Amrapali and Bari-3 on June 5, Fazli on June 21, and Ashwina and Bari-4 on July 1. The main hub for mangoes in the district is Barabazar Phalpatti, situated on the banks of the Mathabhanga River in Chuadanga town. Each morning, trades, buyers throng the market. Currently, four types of mangoes dominate the market, with Bombay and Himsagar mangoes experiencing high demand. Also Read: Bumper production of mango: Chapainawabganj farmers are all smiles Md. Rafiq, a wholesaler, attributed the price decline to an excess supply of mangoes compared to the current demand. But he expressed optimism, saying, “However, the market will pick up in a few days, and mango sales will increase. Additionally, the huge demand for litchi in the market is still affecting mango sales. Once the demand for litchi decreases, mango sales will improve, leading to higher prices.” Nuruddin, a mango trader, expressed his concerns about the current market situation, fearing that farmers' capital would suffer if prices continued to remain low. “ It is disheartening to witness such low prices for mangoes,” he said. Read more: Mango harvesting in Rajshahi begins Thursday Kalam Miah, general secretary of the Chuadanga District Fruit Traders Association, highlighted that the market still had various seasonal fruits, including litchi, readily available. He added, "If mangoes continue to be sold at such low prices, how will the farmers make any profit? If mango prices remain low throughout the year, how will they sustain themselves?”

Mango harvest in Natore district began today (May 20, 2023) with the Gopalbhog variety. Deputy Commissioner Abu Naser Bhuiya inaugurated the harvest officially by plucking mangoes from an orchard at Kola Chapila in Gurudaspur upazila of the district. Read more: 5 Mouth-watering Mango Pickle Recipes to Cherish This Summer Deputy Director of the district’s Department of Agriculture Extension Abul Wadud, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sraboni Roy and owners of mango orchards were present on the occasion. This year, the government has set a target to produce mangoes worth Tk 750 core from 13,280 orchards in Natore district. Read more: Bumper production of mango: Chapainawabganj farmers are all smiles

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.