Mango, the most delicious and juicy summer fruit has started appearing in the markets of Rajshahi city, its adjacent areas and some places of the country as its harvesting began since Thursday, abiding by the instruction of local administration. The district administration has fixed the date in a meeting related to mango harvesting, transportation, marketing and market monitoring. A mango calendar has also been announced to ensure safe, poison-free and ripened mango in the markets.
Some of the indigenous varieties of mangoes have already ripened. But the other delicious and famous varieties - Gopalbhog, Khirshapat and Langra-- need some more days to be ripened. Therefore, mango trading will be started gaining momentum in different markets of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts with appearing varieties of the seasonal fruit along with rushing buyers from across the country.
The markets famous for mango business including Baneswar, Shaheb Bazar, Haragram, Upashahar, Shalbagan, Rajabari, Godagari, Kansat and Rohanpur have got an eye-catching look amidst bumper production. Juicy and delicious varieties mangoes will be transported to various markets across the country including the capital city Dhaka, other metropolitan cities, district towns and even village huts and bazars very soon.
Mangoes sprayed with deadly
chemicals such as
carbide is extremely hazardous
for human health
Apart from traders, like the previous years, people from across the country are also coming to Rajshahi and its outskirts especially Baneshawar Bazar to buy quality juicy mangoes.
Only 100 gram of calcium carbide can ripen nearly 100 kilogram of mangoes while the chemicals could cause deadly diseases like cancer, kidney and liver complications, experts say. Mango is the leading seasonal cash crop of the country’s northwest region and dominates the economy in the region. Farmers and traders must maintain hygienic condition and other best practices from production to marketing mango.
The authorities concerned should monitor the godowns of mangoes through surveillance teams so that harmful chemicals cannot be used in fruits. Apart from these, Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI) and members of law enforcement agencies must keep a vigilant eye at all entry points to the capital setting up eight checkpoint.
Mangoes mixed with deadly chemicals such as carbide is extremely hazardous for human health. The chemical has a long-term affect on human body. If the best practices of growing, harvesting and marketing of mangoes are maintained strictly for ensuring the delicious fruit as safe to the consumers, only then we can eat mangoes without hesitation.
Therefore, all concerned should remain vigilant so that none can commit any malpractice relating to the mango harvesting and marketing.
