The fame of Meherpur's Himsagar mango has spread beyond the country, and it is exported to Europe and other countries. This tasty mango has now been recognised as a GI (geographical indication) product, to the delight of orchard owners.

They say the formal recognition will open up business opportunities in markets at home and abroad and raise the value of the district's mangoes.

Meherpur mango grower Shahin Ali said that with the GI recognition, demand for Himsagar would rise at home and abroad, and growers like him would benefit.

Another grower, Sakhawat Hossain of Amjhupi village in Meherpur, said: "I have a six-bigha mango orchard. Interest in growing Himsagar is increasing, because demand for the mango will rise."

Saidur Rahman owns the largest mango orchard in Meherpur town. He said: "Every year I export some Himsagar mangoes on my own initiative. I also have a GAP certificate. Now that the tasty Himsagar has recently been recognised as a GI product, I hope to export 150 tonnes."

Orchard owners complain, however, that until now Meherpur's Himsagar was sold in markets at home and abroad under Rajshahi's name. From transport and training in growing export-quality mangoes to obtaining GAP certificates, things are easier for growers in the north, they say, while Meherpur growers do not get these opportunities despite trying. With the Himsagar recognised as a brand, they say, all these grievances will end and government facilities will follow.

Enamul Azim, a retired assistant professor at Meherpur Gangni Degree College, said he hopes the GI recognition will increase demand for Meherpur's Himsagar in domestic and world markets.

Samsul Alam, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Meherpur, said that after long efforts, and with no objection from any other district, Meherpur's Himsagar has formally been recognised as a GI product. The mango's value will rise both for export and in the domestic market. The district has 2,366 hectares of mango orchards, of which Himsagar orchards cover 1,650 hectares.

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