Naogaon Correspondent:

Naogaon, one of Bangladesh’s leading mango-producing districts, is set for a record-breaking season, with mango production expected to reach a staggering Tk 3,500 crore this year, officials said.

They said if favourable weather persists and natural disasters are avoided, Naogaon’s mango orchards are expected to yield a harvest valued at Tk 3,500 crore.

This projected bumper crop will provide a significant boost to the region’s economy, reinforcing Naogaon’s reputation as one of Bangladesh’s top mango-producing districts, said Abul Kalam Azad, deputy director of the Naogaon District Agricultural Extension Directorate.

Temperatures below 15°C for extended periods can hinder mango blossoms. However, this year’s average temperature has remained around 20°C—ideal for mango cultivation. Despite this, recent misty conditions raised concerns about fungal infections, prompting the department to advise farmers to apply fungicides for crop protection, the DAE deputy director added.

According to the Naogaon Agricultural Extension Directorate, mango cultivation in the district has grown this year, covering 30,500 hectares—200 more than last year.

In 2024, the district produced 425,000 metric tonnes of mangoes, slightly below the 431,000-tonne target. This year, if the weather remains favourable, production is expected to rise to 450,000 metric tonnes, an increase of 25,000 tonnes from the previous year.

Sapahar and Porsha upazilas are the primary mango-producing areas, with Niamatpur Patnitola, Dhamoirhat, and Badalgachi also making notable contributions to the region’s mango output.

Naogaon is known for producing a variety of high-quality mangoes, including Nag Fajli, Langra, Am Rupali, Gopal Bhog, Ashwina, Katimon, BARI Mango-4, BARI Mango-11, Guti Mango, and Fajli, all of which have strong domestic and international demand.

Farmers in Naogaon are hopeful for a bumper harvest, following a smaller yield last year. The natural cycle of mango production suggests that after a low harvest, a larger yield is typically expected in the following season. This year, almost all the trees in the orchards have sprouted blossoms, and farmers are taking proactive steps to protect them from fungal attacks. They are spraying fungicides and pesticides on the blossoms, watering the base of the trees, and, in some cases, spraying water to help nurture the crop.

As the blossoms start to form, traders and middlemen have already entered the fields to take advantage of the expected surge in mango production. These seasonal traders are negotiating with orchard owners to buy mango gardens for the upcoming harvest. Over the past few days, as the mango buds have started to form, traders have begun serious discussions with growers regarding buying and selling orchards.

Sohel Rana, an agricultural entrepreneur from the Godownpara area of Sapahar upazila, has three mango orchards spread over 200 bighas of land. He sells mangoes locally and exports them abroad. Sohel said that last year, only 50-60% of the trees in his orchard bore blossoms.  This year, however, 80% of his trees have blossomed, and he expects all trees to bloom within the next 15-20 days.

With favourable weather conditions so far, Sohel remains hopeful for a bumper harvest. He is also taking preventive measures by spraying fungicides to protect his crop from fungal infections, especially given the potential for misty weather.

Raihan Alam, a mango grower from the Barogram area of Porsha upazila, reflects on the earlier-than-usual blossoms this year. Last year, cold weather delayed the appearance of mango blossoms by 15-20 days, and many trees did not bloom until mid-March.

This year, however, the blossoms appeared much earlier, and Raihan is hopeful for a good harvest if the weather continues to be favourable.