While other mangoes in Rajshahi have long fetched high prices, the Ashwina was an exception. Demand for it was low, and most of the fruit went for processed food, mainly because of its colour and taste. But over the last eight years the colour and taste of the Ashwina have changed. As a result, demand and cultivation have both grown, and export prospects have emerged.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi, the country's total annual mango production is about 12 lakh tonnes, of which about 15 percent is Ashwina. At least 40 percent of total annual Ashwina production comes from Chapainawabganj district; the rest comes from Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore and other districts.

In the 2013-14 fiscal year Ashwina mangoes were grown on 740 hectares in the Rajshahi region, producing 9,250 tonnes. In 2023-2024 cultivation rose to 1,809 hectares and production to 25,527 tonnes. In the last eight years cultivation has increased by 1,069 hectares and output by 16,277 tonnes.

People in the agriculture department say that since the bagging method was introduced for Ashwina mangoes in 2016, the taste has improved and so has the colour. The fruit can be protected from insects and sells at good prices, Tk 16,000 a maund (Tk 400 a kg).

Mirajul Islam, a mango grower in Bagha, Rajshahi, said: "Earlier I did not get much of a price for this mango. But how could I cut down trees my father and grandfather planted? So I kept them. In 2018 I started growing with the bagging method. There are still mangoes on the trees."

He added: "The day before yesterday I took some mangoes to market and sold them at Tk 12,000 a maund (Tk 300 a kg). Because I got quite a good price, I have now started growing this mango afresh."

Emdadul Haque, a grower in Katakhali, Rajshahi, said: "Ashwina mangoes were not grown much. Now they fetch higher prices and the weight is good. Earlier the mangoes did not last at all; now they keep quite well (do not spoil). This end-of-season mango also fetches a good price, so I have expanded my Ashwina cultivation."

Hafizur Rahman Khan of the Rajshahi Agro Food Producer Society said several varieties of mango are exported from Rajshahi, with 5-7 varieties exported most. Efforts are now under way to export Ashwina mangoes.

Mst Umme Salma, deputy director of the DAE in Rajshahi, said that before 2016 Ashwina mangoes were grown in the ordinary way and most of the fruit spoiled. Since 2016, growing them with bagging has changed farmers' fortunes.

She said three big changes were seen when bagging was applied to these mangoes in 2016. The first was a change in taste: because the fruit is not picked early, its sweetness is assured. The second was a change in colour: because the fruit does not get wet in the rain, its colour stays intact. Third, the bag prevents insect attacks on the fruit.

Explaining growers' rising interest, deputy director Umme Salma said the Ashwina is a late variety, and few other mangoes are available at this time. So Ashwina mangoes now sell at high prices, and demand has risen as a result.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.