Final preparations for the mango season are in full swing in Chapainawabganj, widely known as the mango capital, with the first yields expected to hit the market in the last week of this month.
Orchards across various upazilas are bustling with activity as farmers and traders set up temporary sheds, prepare baskets, and arrange transport equipment.
Workers are engaged in last-minute maintenance to ensure that high-quality fruit is supplied to the markets.
Intensive efforts are underway regarding orchard maintenance, labour recruitment, packaging, and transport logistics. Before the harvest begins, trees are being cleaned and pest control measures are being implemented to maintain fruit quality. Temporary warehouses and sorting centres have already been established in many areas to facilitate a disciplined marketing process.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the Gopalbhog variety typically arrives in the market in the final week of May, alongside the Guti and Mohananda varieties.
One orchard owner expressed hope that Gopalbhog would be ready for harvest in 10 to 15 days. However, stakeholders have raised concerns that fluctuations in weather, specifically recent rainfall and temperature changes, may slightly delay the ripening process.
Saraf Uddin, chief scientific officer of Chapainawabganj Regional Horticulture Research Station, noted that while there was good flowering this season, some late blossoms were destroyed by “Moha” bacteria.
He added that although storms and hailstorms caused some damage, there remains a sufficient supply of mangoes in the orchards.
Farmers have also observed that many trees are bearing fewer mangoes this year due to the “off-year” effect, but they remain hopeful of securing good prices due to high market demand.
To protect the district’s reputation and consumer interests, the local administration is maintaining a strict vigil to prevent the entry of immature mangoes into the market.
Although a specific “mango calendar” has not been announced this year, market monitoring will be intensified, and special teams will operate at the field level to ensure no fruit is harvested before the designated time.
Yasin Ali, deputy director of Chapainawabganj Department of Agricultural Extension, highlighted that the livelihoods of thousands of people depend on the mango industry. This season, mangoes have been cultivated on approximately 38,000 hectares of land, with a production target set at 400,000 metric tonnes. Officials expect that the commencement of the mango trade will significantly revitalise the regional economy.
