A few years ago the scent of mangoes came only in season. Now Chapainawabganj mangoes are sold across the country all year round, grown by farmers taking an unusual approach. One such successful entrepreneur is Rafiqul Islam of Rajarampur village in Gomostapur upazila. After graduating from Rajshahi College, he began growing year-round mangoes in 2012. He now grows mangoes on about 800 bighas and has received an AIP honour.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Chapainawabganj has seasonal mango orchards on 37,604 hectares, plus year-round Katimon mango orchards on 1,792 hectares.
From plums to 800 bighas of mango
Rafiqul Islam told Jago News: "After graduating in 2008, I leased 5 bighas and started growing plums. In 2012 I thought of mango farming and leased 27 bighas to start. At one point, with the agriculture department's help, mangoes were exported to Sweden and other countries. That encouraged me further and I kept expanding the orchards. Now I have about 800 bighas of mango orchards."
"Instead of seasonal mangoes, I wanted people to eat mangoes all year. There is also a chance of greater profit. So after many trials I succeeded in growing mangoes in the winter season. Now mangoes are available in my orchard all year round. Even now I have picked ripe mangoes from the trees. In 2024 I also received the AIP honour," he said.
He added: "Mango production is rising in our district every day, but prices are not keeping up, because so many mangoes are produced. To profit from mango farming, we must first focus on processing. That will create jobs for hundreds of people and growers will benefit."
Jobs for local people
Rafiqul's orchards employ at least 200 people. Shamiul Haque, who has worked there for 8 years, said: "Before, I could only work in mango orchards in season. Since Rafiqul Islam set up his orchards in the area, I can work in them all year, and we have benefited."
Local resident Anarul Islam told Jago News: "Quite a lot of land in our area lay idle and grew no crops. Rafiqul Islam planted mango orchards on this land. He is benefiting and so are we, because many people work in his orchards and support their families."
Nachole upazila agriculture officer Saleh Akram said: "Rafiqul Islam has been growing year-round mangoes for several years, and seasonal mangoes from his orchards are also exported. This is creating jobs for local workers, and selling mangoes in various ways is boosting the district's economy."
Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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