As in the past two years, there will be no mango picking schedule this year in Chapainawabganj, the district known as the capital of mangoes. Growers will be able to market their mangoes as soon as they ripen on the tree.

Deputy Commissioner AKM Galib Khan announced the decision at a views-exchange meeting on Wednesday afternoon (3 May), following demands from farmers, entrepreneurs and mango exporters.

"Mangoes ripen at different times depending on the variety. So, with growers in mind, no deadline has been set this year, as last year. Whenever a mango ripens on the tree, it can be marketed. But no mango can be marketed unless it is mature. If anyone tries to market immature mangoes, we will take strict action against them," he said.

Also present were Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Ahmed Mahbub-ul-Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Papia Sultana, Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Roushan Ali, and Masud Ahmed, additional deputy director (horticulture) of the Department of Agricultural Extension, along with mango growers, farmers, entrepreneurs and exporters from the district's upazilas.

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