United News of Bangladesh

As the demand for mangoes surges during Ramadan, an enterprising farmer in Chapainawabganj is capitalising on the opportunity with off-season cultivation. Rubel Hossain, a 34-year-old agricultural entrepreneur, has turned his passion for farming into a lucrative venture by growing Katimon mango, a variety that bears fruit throughout the year. Six years ago, Rubel embarked on this journey after watching videos on YouTube. He planted Katimon mango trees on 20 bighas of land in Elipur, Nachole upazila. Today, his trees are teeming with ripe mangoes and blossoms, inspiring many locals to follow in his footsteps. Rubel, a resident of Gomastapur upazila, described the scarcity of traditional mango varieties during this season. “Since conventional mangoes are hardly available now, my orchard stands out with trees laden with fruit and blossoms, their branches bending under the weight,” he said. The Katimon mango variety is unique in its ability to produce fruit three times a year, and with the right techniques, farmers can control the harvest timing. “I decided to focus on cultivating mangoes for Ramadan when demand peaks. Last year, I received excellent prices, so I pursued the same strategy this year,” Rubel said. With trees in flowering Chapai looks forward to bumper mango harvest At present, his orchard holds some 250 maunds of mangoes, which he has begun selling at Tk 300 per kg. “I expect to earn around Tk 25 lakh this season, with a net profit of Tk 15 lakh after expenses,” he added. Beyond the profitability, the Katimon mango has proven to be highly sought after. “These mangoes are delicious, and demand is always high. I sell directly from the orchard without any hassle,” Rubel shared. His success has encouraged others, including Yasin Ali, who has planted Katimon mangoes on 25 bighas of land near Rubel’s orchard. “This variety bears fruit thrice a year, but I concentrate on the off-season, particularly during Ramadan when mangoes are scarce, ensuring better prices,” Yasin said. Visitors from nearby areas are also taking interest in the opportunity. Badruzzaman, from Nayadiari in Gomastapur, visited Rubel’s orchard with aspirations of starting his own Katimon mango farm. “Hearing about Rubel’s success inspired me. I plan to consult him before beginning my own orchard,” he said. Bangladeshi mangoes approved for export to China: Embassy Nachole Upazila Agriculture officer Saleh Akram appreciated Rubel’s initiative, saying that the local agriculture department is offering support and guidance to farmers. He said that wider adoption of Katimon mango farming could have a substantial economic impact. “During Ramadan, we notice a surge in imported fruits, which results in foreign currency drainage. Expanding domestic year-round fruit production can benefit both consumers and the national economy,” he said. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Chapainawabganj now has 1,792 hectares of land dedicated to Katimon mango cultivation, signalling a promising future for off-season mango farming in Bangladesh.