MEHERPUR, Mar 7: Nearly 90 per cent of the fruit-bearing mango trees in Meherpur District have blossomed this season, raising hopes among thousands of growers for a bumper harvest, provided no natural calamity strikes.
According to Sanjib Mridha, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Meherpur, mango orchards cover approximately 2,400 hectares of land. Almost all the trees have fully bloomed, and the district expects to produce around 44,000 tonnes of mangoes this year.
Meherpur and Chuadanga districts are known for producing quality, tasty mangoes, second only to the Rajshahi region. Last year's mango production was not satisfactory, but experts believe this year is the 'on-year' for mango cultivation. It is hardly possible to find any fruit-bearing mango tree without flowers in the groves here.
The absence of severe cold and its early departure are cited as the primary factors behind the abundant flowering. If the weather remains favourable in the coming months, the mango production in Meherpur District could set a new record, according to experts.
Thousands of mango trees lining the Meherpur-Chuadanga highway, stretching approximately eight kilometres from Amjhupi High School to the roadside village of Chandpur, are catching the eyes of passersby. These trees, now decorated with buds, were planted 14-year ago by Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, a non-government organisation, with financial support from the Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF).
The NGO has been working for the development of environment and ecology. Speaking to The Daily Observer, Executive Director Mainul Alam informed that the project was undertaken to provide nourishment to distressed women, disabled individuals, and minority communities, as well as to create a sanctuary for birds. It has now become a model for Bangladesh.
According to DAE sources, mango cultivation is becoming increasingly popular in this region, and many growers have become self-sufficient. DAE officials claimed they are providing advice to growers on protecting mangoes from diseases, although most growers said they are not receiving any kind of assistance from the DAE.
