In Chapainawabganj, known as the capital of mangoes, a three-day "mango fair" has begun with 183 local and foreign varieties. Totapuri, Jadugem, Sharbati, Brunei King, Kyew Sawey (Kiujai) and many other varieties have made the event a lively one.

The fair began on 18 June on the grounds of the Deputy Commissioner's office and runs until Saturday. It is organised by the district office of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

A visit to the fair on Friday morning found several stalls set up by mango farmers and entrepreneurs from different parts of the district and by the agriculture department. The biggest draw, however, was the "mango variety exhibition" stall, where 183 varieties grown in Chapainawabganj are displayed together. They include well-known and little-known types such as Chhabbish Hajari Guti, Chasha Buli, Kiujai, Keitt, Brunei King, Ushaponni, Dilshad, Jadugem, Sharbati and Totapuri.

Visitors said they had never before seen such a diverse range of mangoes in one place. Some were taking photographs while others were learning about the varieties from agriculture officials. People of all ages created a festive atmosphere.

Yasin Ali came to the fair from Kishoreganj. "Mangoes are grown in Kishoreganj too, but I have never seen so many varieties before. We knew five or six kinds were the most common. Coming here, I understood how much diversity of mango Chapainawabganj has. It is really nice to see so many kinds together," he said.

Hasibur Rahman, a resident of Chapainawabganj, said: "My home is in this district, but I have never in my life heard the names of so many varieties. I saw them with my own eyes here. Some single mangoes weigh more than one and a half kilograms. There are many mangoes whose names I did not know before."

The organisers say each mango displayed has its own taste, colour, shape and character. Many of these varieties were once grown in Chapainawabganj, but over time a number of them are now on the verge of extinction. The fair was organised to introduce the new generation to these local and endangered varieties and to showcase the diversity of mangoes.

Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila agriculture officer Md Sunain Bin Zaman told Jagonews24: "These mangoes were collected from old and new orchards in different parts of the district. Some of the varieties on display are foreign, but most are local. Events like this will play an important role in conserving mango varieties that are disappearing and making them known to people."

He said only a limited number of varieties are now grown commercially in Chapainawabganj on a large scale, but efforts are under way to keep the other varieties alive through research and conservation. The fair was organised to build people's interest in mangoes and to highlight the district's heritage.

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