With only one day left for beginning of the Bangla month of Jyestha, known as “Modhumash”, delicious and juicy summer fruits such as mango and litchi have started appearing in the markets across the country. It is expected that sale of summer fruits will start gaining momentum in the capital Dhaka, other metropolitan cities, towns and rural areas from the beginning of June.
This year, there had been poor budding in the mango trees and so, the country is likely to see a fall in mango production. Mango buds in most of the areas dried up due to extreme heatwave. Besides, delayed winter coupled with severe cold wave led to the budding in mango trees late. However, farmers believe they will have a good harvest of mango and prices of litchi and mango will also remain within the reach of customers.
The Natore district administration set May 25 for starting mango harvesting and marketing with the ‘Gopalbhog’ variety this year. Farmers in Satkhria district have already harvesting mangoes with ‘Bombay’ and ‘Golap Khas varieties from Thursday.
Mangoes from different districts, especially Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj will hit the market within few days and mango trading will start gaining momentum in the two districts. Traders from different parts of the country will rush to the two districts to buy mangoes. The West Zone of Bangladesh Railway will launch a 'special mango train' on Chapainawabganj-Dhaka route via Rajshahi from June 10. The markets of the two districts famous for mango business include Baneswar, Shaheb Bazar, Haragram, Upashahar, Shalbagan, Rajabari, Godagari, Kansat and Rohanpur. Varities of mangoes, including Gobindobhog, Himsagar Langra, Ranipasand, Khirsapati Laxmanbhog or Lakhna, Mohonbhog, Amrapali, Haribhanga, Fazly Ashwina, BARI Aam-4 Gormati and Ilamati are set to hit the markets.
Varieties of
mango
are set to be
transported to
different markets across the country
Many small traders are now seen selling mango on roadside shops or at localities on rickshaw-vans. Varieties of mango are set to be transported to different markets across the country, including the capital city Dhaka, other metropolitan cities, district towns and even village huts and bazars. Apart from traders, like the previous years, people from across the country are coming to Rajshahi and its outskirts, especially Baneshawar Bazar to buy quality juicy mangoes. But when the mango harvesting begins, people have to worry about using hazardous chemicals in the delicious fruit.
Only 100 gram of calcium carbide can ripen nearly 100 kilogram of mangoes. Consumption of chemical-treated mangoes may cause deadly diseases like cancer, kidney and liver complications, experts say. Many people refrain from eating chemically-ripened fruit in fear of getting attacked with such serious diseases.
Mango is the main summer fruit 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. Besides, local administration will have to prevent adulteration in the mango ripening process using harmful chemicals alongside all concerned to follow the time-frame of mango harvesting in the public interests. Only then people will get chemical-free mango.
The authorities concerned must 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 vigilance at all entry points of the capital by setting up eight checkpoints to prevent use of chemicals in mangoes.
Mangoes mixed with chemicals such as carbide is extremely harmful for human health. The chemical has a long-term effect on human body. If the best practices of growing, harvesting and marketing of mangoes are strictly maintained only then we can eat the mangoes. All concerned should be aware so that none can commit any malpractice regarding mango harvesting and marketing.
