Due to repeated storms, rain fall and mild hail-storm, there was severe damage of newly emerged mango buds in the district during the first week of March. As a result, the target of mango production of this year may not be achieved this year.
According to sources, a mild rain and storm on the night of February-29, again a moderate storm, heavy rainfall and mild hail-storm on the night of March-3 and at the noon of March-4, caused a severe damage to mango buds in the city and the upazilas of the district. Moreover, the heavy rainfall throughout the district has also destroyed the sweep sap of the pollen of mango buds necessary for pollination by drawing bees and insects. As a result, in spite of an increase of land for mango cultivation in the district, the production of mango may face a setback in Rajshahi this year.
Mango farmers of the district also informed, there was less sprouting of mango buds on the trees of the district this year. Moreover, the inclement weather condition may hamper the production of mango.
Anowar Ali (43) a mango farmer of village Matikata under Godagari upazila informed, he has been cultivating mango on his 10-bighas of land for the 10-year. During the time of flowering of mango buds, the season of storm, hail and rain starts. As a result, a huge amount of mango buds are destroyed at the orchard every year. But, this year, the storm and rain seem to approach earlier. Just after the sprouting of the mango buds, the storm and rain on 3rd march and 4th March will surely hamper mango production severely this year.
Shamsul Haque, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) informed, weather remained favourable during the time of budding of mango but a heavy rain fall and storm just after flower of the buds of mangoes may hamper the mango production in the district. He added, though such weather condition during this season is not unlikely, a severe rainfall and storm during flowering period would damage the mango buds and this hampering the mango production.
Dr. Alim Uddin, Chief Scientific Officer of Horticulture Research Centre in Rajshahi informed, Mango has been cultivated on 17,500 hectares of land and the target of mango production of the district has been fixed at 2,93,000 metric tonnes this year.
The amount of land for cultivation of mango is being gradually increased as the mango production proves more profitable than production of other fruits and crops.
