Rajshahi mangoes are gaining popularity in the export market, thanks in part to the rise of contract farming and the use of fruit bagging technology.
The use of fruit bagging technology in mango cultivation through contract farming not only boosts the production of high-quality mangoes but also enhances foreign income for the region's economy.
According to the Rajshahi District Agricultural Extension Office, mangoes from Rajshahi have been exported since 2016.
In 2023, 9.9 tons of mangoes were exported, earning farmers about Tk8 lakh.
Why is the Miyazaki mango so expensive?This year, approximately 3,497.35 tons of mangoes have been earmarked for exports from Rajshahi.
Last year, 80 farmers engaged in contract farming, and this year, 118 farmers have entered into such contracts. All these farmers are using fruit bagging technology.
Agriculture officials say that the standards for contract farming include hygienic production, food safety, environmental protection, cleanliness, and worker health.
Does eating mango actually cause weight gain?Hygienic production involves following guidelines for the application and use of fertilizers, irrigation, pesticides, seeds, and seedlings, and managing the use of chemicals appropriately. Food safety involves the management of post-harvest preservation and transportation.
Why is fruit bagging method needed?
Experts said that mango farmers typically use pesticides 15-62 times from the time of harvest to the next season.
However, research indicates that good mangoes can be harvested with just 2-5 applications in some cases. Excessive spraying is harmful to public health and increases production costs.
Overuse of pesticides also reduces the number of beneficial insects.
Why mango prices are so high this year in Rajshahi
How the Amrapali mango was named?Fruit bagging technology offers an environmentally friendly solution to this problem and is becoming popular for meeting the requirements of export-quality mangoes.
How it is done
Fruit bagging involves covering the fruit while it is still on the tree with a special type of bag, which remains until harvest.
These bags come in various colors and sizes for different fruits.
For mangoes, two types of bags are used: white bags for colored mangoes and double-layered brown bags for green mangoes.
This technique has also been successful for guavas and pomegranates, and is showing positive results for bananas and jackfruit.
Have you tried these expensive varieties of mango?As a result, the use of this technology is growing in the orchards of the Barind region.
Dr Muklesur Rahman, chief scientific officer of the Chapainawabganj Mango Research Center, said that bagged fruits are much better than non-bagged ones.
This technology helps reduce damage from pests and diseases and improves the quality of the mangoes. Fruit bagging is an effective method for protecting fruits and trees, the official said.
This technology is most widely used in commercial orchards in Chapainawabganj and Naogaon.
Scientists from the Regional Horticultural Research Center (RHRC) in Chapainawabganj introduced this technology to farmers about seven to eight years ago after achieving significant success in agricultural research.
Several private companies are now supplying specialized bags from abroad to farmers at a cost of Tk3-4 taka per bag.
Farmers hope to sell Haribhanga mangoes worth 250CDr Shafiqul Islam, chief scientific officer of the Rajshahi Fruit Research Center, said: "Mango is one of the commercially important fruit crops in this region. However, this vital economic crop is at risk from pests and diseases at all stages of its development. In this context, the technology has created high hopes among farmers and traders to eliminate these concerns."
Contract farming
This season, the first shipment of mangoes from Sadi Enterprise in Kaligram village, Bagha upazila, Rajshahi, included 1,800kg from farmer Shafiqul Islam's farm and 200kg from another farmer, Bidyut Hossain.
Farmer Shafiqul Islam said: "We are well-prepared this year. The demand for contract farming is increasing, and mangoes are exported through this method due to its accountability, making fruit bagging popular.
"When I started, I cultivated mangoes on 50 bighas of land. Now, I cultivate on 300 bighas. Interest in contract farming is growing among farmers. Initially, there were 14 to 15 farmers; now there are 20-25 in each union, increasing the use of fruit bagging technology," he added.
When can you savour Rangpur’s famous Haribhanga mangoes?Hafizur Rahman Khan, general secretary of the Rajshahi Food Producers Association, said: "Contract farming is increasing in Rajshahi. There is also demand abroad. This year, production is higher, and the use of fruit bagging technology is increasing to achieve quality standards. However, we are not getting the necessary support from the government. Cargo charges have increased significantly compared to neighbouring countries. There are issues every year. We have reported several problems in writing. Some have been resolved, but not all."
Shafiullah Sultan, agricultural officer of Bagha upazila, said: "We are issuing a certificate after ensuring good agricultural practices. Then, another certificate is issued from the Shyampur Packing House and quarantine centre in Dhaka. After that, these mangoes are exported abroad. We are working with farmers towards this goal, providing necessary training and supervision, where fruit bagging technology plays a very effective role."
Umme Salma, Acting Deputy Director of the Rajshahi Agricultural Extension Office, said, "Contract farming is increasing day by day, with the use of fruit bagging technology rising for safe mango production. As a result, the production of safe mangoes has increased. Not all mangoes are exported abroad. In 2022, 1,700 tons of mangoes were exported from across the country. Last year, it was more than 3,500 tons. We have a project for mango export. Mango export is increasing not only abroad but also within the country. There is a demand for safe mangoes in various supermarkets in the country."
