Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian has said Bangladesh exported 1,300 metric tonnes of mangoes last year and can raise mango exports to 50,000 tonnes.

He said mangoes grown under good agricultural practice are safe for health, so good agricultural practice in mango production must be spread across the country.

He was speaking as chief guest on Friday (30 May) at the inauguration of "Marketing of safe mangoes produced following good agricultural practice" at the farmers' market on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital.

The secretary said mangoes grown in Bangladesh are tasty and of good quality and are in demand around the world, but because of the country's limitations they cannot reach those markets. "We want to raise exports by closing the gaps through improved farming practice," he said. Bangladeshi mangoes are exported to 38 countries, and China has been added this year. To sell there, production and marketing must follow the rules of the importing countries.

He said scientists are working to improve the colour of mangoes and extend the season. "Our mangoes are very tasty, but there is confusion abroad about their colour. Our scientists are working on how to improve the colour and lengthen the season while keeping everything safe," he said.

"We are working to produce and market mangoes properly. There are several projects under the ministry for this," the agriculture secretary said.

Emdad Ullah Mian said an inter-ministerial meeting had been held to overcome export barriers. "We will look into the problems that arise during export. An inter-ministerial meeting has been held to resolve the delays, including at customs," he said.

The marketing of mangoes grown under Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), a joint initiative of the Hortex Foundation and the PARTNER project, formally began at the event, which was described as a significant step towards increasing the country's fruit exports.

The event was organised jointly by the Hortex Foundation, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM). Marketing support came from Zahera Seed Corporation, Arot Agro BD and SK International.

Also present were DAE Director General Md Chhaiful Alam, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute Director General Nargis Akhter, and Abul Kalam Azad, programme coordinator of the Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh (PARTNER) project, among others. Hortex Foundation Managing Director Dr Syed Md Rafiqul Amin was also present.

Before speaking, the secretary inaugurated the marketing of safe mangoes produced following good agricultural practice.

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