Rajshahi has announced this season's timetable for picking and marketing mangoes, the 'mango calendar'. Growers and traders will be able to take mangoes off the trees from 15 May.

The Rajshahi district administration gave the details at a meeting on mango transport, marketing and picking at 11:30am on 6 May.

Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter chaired the meeting in her conference room. Salma Akter, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), was present. The administration said the step was taken to stop immature mangoes being marketed.

Picking will begin with Guti mangoes on 15 May. Gopalbhog can be picked from 22 May, and Lakhna (Lakshmanbhog) and Ranipachhanda from 25 May. Himsagar and Khirsapat can be picked from 30 May, Langra (the 'banana mango') from 10 June, and Amrapali or Fazli from 15 June. Orchard owners can pick BARI-4 from 5 July, Ashwina from 10 July and Gourmati from 15 July. Katimon and BARI Aam-11 can be picked all year round.

The meeting warned that strict action would be taken against any farmer or trader who picks immature mangoes before these dates. But if mangoes ripen early anywhere because of the weather, they can be picked and marketed after getting a certificate from the local upazila agriculture officer.

Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter said mangoes are Rajshahi's heritage, and dates are set every year to ensure mature, safe mangoes reach the market. This year's mango calendar was again set on the basis of views from farmers, agriculture officers, traders and others involved. Strict action will be taken against anyone who picks immature mangoes before the dates, and markets will be under constant administrative watch, she said.

The DAE said mangoes are being grown on 19,603 hectares in the district this year, with a production target of 2,60,006 tonnes. Last season mangoes were grown on 19,602 hectares.

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