Yao Wen, the Chinese ambassador in Dhaka, has visited a mango orchard in Chapainawabganj.

At about 3pm on Monday (28 April) he visited the orchard of mango farmer Rafiqul Islam in Kendua village, Nachole upazila. He was accompanied by a seven-member team including importers from China.

Ambassador Yao Wen praised Chapainawabganj's mangoes and gave assurance that the district's mangoes would be exported to China this year. He also said China would invest in mango processing.

Mango farmer Rafiqul Islam said: "We are always worried about mango prices. If we can export directly to China, we will get a fair price, and demand in the local market will grow too. We are hopeful. If mangoes go to China, the district's economy will be boosted and farmers will profit."

Nachole Upazila Agriculture Officer Saleh Akram said the Chinese ambassador himself had visited Nachole's orchards and spoken of exporting mangoes to China. "They liked our orchards here," he said.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Chapainawabganj has seasonal mango orchards on 37,604 hectares, and year-round Katimon mango orchards on another 1,792 hectares.

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