Mango Export: Growers innovate farming practices
Anwarul Haque allows me to see one of the mangoes inside the bag. The rising quantity of mango exports has been changing the farming practices of the fruit in the Rajshahi region as farmers are now opting for more chemical-free mango production, agriculturists say. Farmers are now gradually adopting organic farming methods as they intend to meet the high standards, required by the international markets. This year, a total of 92,913 hectares of land has been brought under mango cultivation in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, and Natore, said Md Shamsul Wadud, regional additional director at Rajshahi Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). A farm labourer covers a mango with a fruit bag that protects the fruit from pests, insects, rains, storms, and hailstorms. But, safe or chemical-free mangoes were grown on only 630 hectares of land this year, which was around 500 hectares last year, said the DAE official. They have a plan to extend the area to 728 hectares next year, he said.
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