Mango blossoms spread sweet fragrance across Ishwardi
Pabna Correspondent :
With the arrival of spring the king of seasons mango blossoms have begun to bloom across the rural areas of Ishwardi, carrying the early message of the sweet summer ahead.
Nearly every household and mango orchard in the upazila is now filled with the gentle, sweet fragrance of the blossoms. The scent drifting through the air is captivating nature lovers and creating a delightful atmosphere.
During a visit to several orchards on Sunday (15 February), it was observed that most mango trees have already produced blossoms. Compared to last year, fewer new leaves have grown this season, allowing blossoms to appear more abundantly across the branches. The fragrance floating in the breeze offers an early taste of the upcoming mango season.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, although some trees have yet to bloom, most have already begun flowering. If weather conditions remain favorable, agricultural officials expect a good mango harvest this year.
The Agriculture Office further stated that heavy rainfall in the previous season reduced carbon accumulation at the tips of plant branches, which led to excessive new leaf growth at that time. As a result, many trees were covered with leaves.
This year, however, with fewer new leaves, blossoms are emerging at the proper time, increasing the likelihood of higher production.
From the end of the Bengali month of Magh to the beginning of Falgun, warm winds have been sweeping through the area, encouraging the blossoms to emerge.
In anticipation of a better yield, farmers are now busy with early orchard management, including applying fertilizers, irrigating, and spraying pesticides.
Mango farmer Mizanur Rahman of Awatpara said, “After visiting several orchards in the area, I found that nearly 80 percent of the trees have already blossomed. We expect almost all trees to bloom within this week.”
Another farmer, Hasan Sheikh of Salimpur, said, “We have cleared weeds and applied organic fertilizers and vitamins. At the same time, we are spraying pesticides to control insects. As a result, the trees are producing healthy blossoms.”
Various mango varieties are cultivated in Ishwardi, including Khirsa, Himsagar, Fazli, Totapuri, Lakshana, Ashwina, Gopalbhog, Amrapali, Katimon, and BARI-4. Encouraged by good market prices last year, farmers have shown greater interest in orchard care this season.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Abdul Momin said, “Mangoes have been cultivated on approximately 450 hectares of land in the upazila. A little rainfall was needed at this time. However, if the weather remains favorable, there is strong potential for a good harvest this year. The Agriculture Department is providing regular advice and support to farmers.”