The harsh cold of the month of Magh still grips nature. While the chilly northern wind disrupts daily life, yellow blossoms have begun to peep out on the mango trees of Dinajpur. The scent of these early blossoms is spreading through the air in different parts of the district, with bees buzzing around them.
Orchard owners say, however, that if the fog lasts, the blossoms could be hit by powdery mildew or rot, the main cause of lower yields. If the weather is favourable and the fog eases, they hope for a bumper mango crop this time.
Where the trees have flowered
Visits to villages in 10 unions of the upazila and talks with orchard owners show early blossoms beside the Dinajpur-Dhaka highway, at the city's Modern Mor, in the toll plaza area west of Mohanpur bridge, on the premises of No. 3 Fazilpur union parishad, at Gobindapur in No. 9 Askarpur union, and in various orchards in Parbatipur upazila.
Ruhul Amin, who owns a mango tree at Mohanpur Mor, said his 20-year-old guti mango tree has been flowering early for several years. Early blossoms lift his spirits, he said, but there is one fear, dense fog: when the fog is heavy, the blossoms may rot.
Sagar Mia and Sohel Mia of Sarkarpara village in Rampur union said most trees are full of blossom, which began appearing a month ago.
Abu Reza Pramanik, owner of "Dinajpur Aam Bagan" at Basirbania Baro Mereyapara village in Chandipur union of the upazila, said his orchard has about 3,000 mango trees. He has been giving the trees their initial care since the blossoms appeared.
Agriculture official's view
Md Anisuzzaman, additional deputy director (crops) of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Dinajpur, said the mango blossoms had begun appearing before the usual time mainly because of the weather and the variety.
He said some mango trees flower early every year, and this year too they have started. If they are not caught by dense fog, these trees give an early crop; if the weather turns hostile, they give none. But on trees that blossom at the normal time, at the end of Magh, the blossoms will hold.
Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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