United News of Bangladesh

Mango orchards in Rangpur are now awash with buds, lifting the spirits of farmers who are hoping for a bumper harvest of the region’s famed Harivanga variety mango this season. Agriculture officials said if weather conditions remain favourable in the coming weeks, mango production in the region could even double compared with last year. However, some farmers alleged that they are not receiving adequate support from agricultural authorities to maximise the potential harvest. Rangpur’s prized Harivanga mango has already secured Geographical Indication (GI) recognition, further boosting its reputation in domestic markets. Over the past few years, commercial cultivation of the variety has expanded beyond Rangpur to neighbouring districts such as Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha and parts of Dinajpur. Within Rangpur district, Mithapukur and Badarganj upazilas remain the main hubs of Harivanga variety mango cultivation, attracting traders from across the country during the peak harvesting season. Visits to several orchards in these areas reveal trees of all sizes heavily laden with buds. Alongside Harivanga, other popular varieties including Amraphali, Mishri Bhog, Gopal Bhog and Surjapuri have also started showing budding fruits. Farmers are now busy tending their orchards with renewed enthusiasm. In many cases, branches that were bare last year are now thick with buds. Some growers have even started supporting heavy branches with bamboo or wooden poles to prevent breakage. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), nearly 100,000 hectares of land in Rangpur district alone are under Harivanga cultivation. Besides, countless mango trees grow in homesteads and on small plots across the region. Alomgir Hossain, a farmer from Osmanpur who owns a four-hectare orchard, said last year’s yield had been poor due to unfavourable weather conditions. “Even after using medicines, we could not produce enough mangoes. But this year every tree is full of buds and fruits are already visible,” he said. “If the weather remains good, production could double and I may earn up to Tk 20 lakh in profit after expenses.” Erosion threatens embankment, villages along Nabaganga River in Narail In Lohani Para, cultivator Jahidul Haque, who grows Harivanga and other varieties on 6.5 acres of land, said the trees are carrying far more buds than last year. “Although the weather has not been fully favourable yet, we are irrigating regularly to keep the trees healthy. If everything goes well, I hope to earn around Tk 25 to 30 lakh this season,” he said. Padaganj farmer Abdul Jabbar said his orchard of about 7,500 mango trees is now in full bloom. “Many trees have already started bearing fruits. With proper care, we could double last year’s production and earn more than Tk 50 lakh,” he said. Another cultivator, Aminul Islam of Munshi Para, said buds are abundant not only in his orchard but also in surrounding trees. “So far the buds have not been damaged and fruits are forming well. We are hoping for a much better yield than last year,” he said. Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension said the number of Harivanga orchards has increased significantly across the region in recent years. Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer ATM Azharul Islam said almost every mango tree both local and hybrid varieties is showing strong bud formation this season. “If farmers follow proper cultivation practices and pest management guidelines, they can recover last year’s losses and even earn double the profit,” he said. Sirajul Islam, additional director of the DAE in Rangpur, said including homestead plantations, Harivanga mango cultivation now spans roughly 100,000 hectares across the region. “If the weather remains favourable, mango production this year could double, allowing farmers to earn significantly higher incomes compared with last year,” he said.