Production of all fruits has risen in Bangladesh, with mango furthest ahead. Hundreds of thousands of people are involved in producing and trading this seasonal fruit, worth thousands of crores of taka. But without government preparation and action for this huge trade, growers and orchard owners are suffering losses.

The old picture of mangoes meaning only Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj has changed; it is hard to find a place where mangoes are not grown. Orchards, production and trade grow every year, and every area claims its mangoes are the best: people in Bagha, Rajshahi say theirs are, as do growers in Chapainawabganj, while Chuadanga farmers say they are not new to mangoes either.

Growers deserve credit for the pride of fine mangoes, the growing trade and bringing sweet fruit to people. But growers in Rajshahi, the mango capital, say they get no advice or training. They say they spend their own money but cannot take home a profit without government support. The agriculture department says it is working on farmer awareness.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), mango production this year will exceed all previous records. The question is how far growers, orchard owners and traders can be brought under rules at every stage of production and trade.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Hridoye Mati O Manush. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.