Mango farming drives Barind economy, boosts farmers’ fortunes
BSS:
Steady expansion of mango farming in the Barind region over the past decade has significantly boosted the local economy while transforming the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
Known as the country’s key mango producing zone, the Barind tract in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Naogaon has witnessed remarkable growth in acreage, output, and the adoption of modern cultivation techniques.
Due to its suitability, profitability and the promotion of high-yielding varieties, mango has emerged as a reliable cash crop in areas where traditional farming once struggled due to poor soil and water scarcity.
The soil of the Barind tract is naturally red and undulating, resembling uneven terrain, which once posed challenges for farmers.
Only rice could be cultivated around 15-20 years ago. But at present, the previous scenario has been changed.
Mango orchards have been generated on hundreds acres of land in Godagari and Tanore Upazilas in Rajshahi, Shibganj, Nachole and Gomastapur in Chapainawabganj and Sapahar, Niamatpur, Modadevpur and Porsha Upazilas in Naogaon.
Humayun Ali, 47, a resident at Saur village under Porsha Upazila in Naogaon, has earned around Taka eight lakh from his mango production on nine bigha of land this year.
He found the path of changing his fate since he initiated the mango farming around 10 years back.
Sohel Rana, 43, has generated orchards of Amrapali and BARI-4 mango varieties on around 55 bigha of land at the Kakonhat area under Godagari Upazila in Rajshahi around six years back. He sold mangoes at Taka 11 lakh last year and Taka 22 lakh this year. He is hoping to sell his products at Taka 40 lakh next year.
Talking to BSS, Umme Salma, Deputy Director of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Rajshahi, said 2.60 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes are expected to be produced from 19,603 hectares of land in the district this year.
In Naogaon, the seasonal fruit has been cultivated on 30,300 hectares of land with a production target of 3.87 lakh metric tonnes.
Abul Kalam Azad, Deputy Director of DAE, Naogaon, said there are prospects of mango trading worth around Taka 4,000 crore this year.
He said this is a significant mango-producing district with a large area dedicated to mango orchards and a substantial production target for the current year.
The district is known for its high-quality mango varieties and is emerging as a major mango export hub.