Desk Report,
Formal marketing of Haribhanga mangoes begins in Rangpur, farmers face various complaints formal marketing
The sale of Haribhanga mangoes has officially started in Rangpur. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal announced the marketing of these mangoes at a meeting with mango farmers and traders at Padaganj School and College in Mithapukur Upazila on Tuesday afternoon.Formal marketing of Haribhanga mangoes begins in Rangpur, farmers face various complaints.Formal marketing of Haribhanga mangoes begins in Rangpur, farmers face various complaints formal marketing
The Mithapukur Upazila Administration and Upazila Agriculture Department jointly organized this meeting. Mango farmers, traders and local political leaders spoke at the event. At this time, mango farmers highlighted various problems related to the production, marketing, preservation and quality improvement of Haribhanga mangoes.Formal-marketing
Formal marketing of Haribhanga mangoes begins in Rangpur, farmers face various complaints
In his welcome speech at the meeting, Mithapukur Upazila Agriculture Officer Muhammad Saiful Abedin said that this year, 26,000 metric tons of Haribhanga mangoes will be produced on 1,300 hectares of land in Mithapukur. The market price of mangoes, courier service, transportation – everything together will generate a business of Tk 1.5 billion in Padaganj Hat alone. To increase the marketing period of pot-ripened mangoes, farmers have been advised to collect mangoes with three to four inches of buds, wash them in lukewarm water and treat them with boric acid. In addition, a project has been taken up for the export of pot-ripened mangoes. The Agriculture Department is working to maintain the quality and characteristics of pot-ripened mangoes through good agricultural practices and farmer training.
Mango farmer Mehedi Hasan alleged that every year the district administration announces the date before pot-ripened mangoes come to the market. But this year, no date has been announced in advance by the district administration. Like last year, the Agriculture Department announced the date for mango collection on June 20. However, it was later brought forward by five days. There has been a lack of coordination in this regard. Due to not announcing the date in advance, even distant mango traders are not able to come on time. This has put mango farmers in trouble.
Another farmer, Zahirul Islam, said that pot-ripened mangoes are delicious. It has been recognized as a GI product. But its marketing period (sales life) is very short. Due to this, many mangoes are wasted every year. He demanded the construction of a specialized cold storage to preserve Haribhanga mangoes.
Mango farmer Ayub Ali said that since the district administration did not announce the date for mango collection, many have sold unripe mangoes in the market since Eid. If unripe mangoes are marketed in this way, Haribhanga will be deprived of GI products. Thousands of mango farmers will be stranded.
Mango farmers complained that the main commercial center for Haribhanga mangoes is Padaganj Bazar. Although it is in Ghoragach Union of Mithapukur, it is 27 kilometers from Mithapukur. 24 kilometers from Rangpur. 12 kilometers from Badarganj. However, there is no commercial bank branch here. The roads are full of potholes. Due to these reasons, traders are suffering in transporting mangoes.
Mithapukur Upazila Executive Officer (Acting) Multamis Billah presided over the meeting, and Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Habibur Rahman, District Jamaat Ameer Golam Rabbani, Secretary Enamul Haque, District BNP member Sajidur Rahman, former Joint Convener of Mithapukur Upazila BNP Nazmul Haque and others spoke at the meeting.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Habibur Rahman said that this time due to the extreme heat, the pot-bellied mangoes have arrived before the scheduled time. One problem with pot-bellied mangoes is that when ripe, they become soft and melt inside. For this, a mango-centric industry is needed in Rangpur.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal called for ensuring quality to export pot-bellied mangoes to the world market. He said, “We will take immediate action on how to improve the communication system in Padaganj, the main commercial area of Haribhanga mango, so that mango farmers can market their mangoes easily.” The Deputy Commissioner urged the owners of mango orchards to stop using excess hormones and carbides in mangoes to maintain the tradition of GI products.
After the exchange of views, the Deputy Commissioner visited the Padaganj market. During this time, the traders demanded that the land, sheds, drainage system and the surrounding dirt roads be renovated and paved.
