Chapainawabganj: Amchashi Mojibur Rahman of Kansat works in private sector. The family runs on that little income and the income from the mango orchard.
But this time, 75 percent of the mangoes in his garden have been destroyed in the intense heat. Even if 25 percent of mangoes survive now, he is worried whether they will survive the severe drought or not.
Three-four days ago, he spent six and a half thousand rupees and sprayed pesticides for the remaining 25% of mangoes in 1 bigha land. Since Mukul came with this, his expenses are about 20 thousand taka. Even though 80% of the buds have come in his 1 bigha garden, all are gone in the rain and cold weather of the morning. Now there is severe drought. Irrigation should be given to the mango pods. It will increase the cost. But where is the money? This 25 percent of the mangoes in the garden are now a thorn in his neck.
Mojibur regrets it. Mojibur is not alone. This is the condition of the farmers of Chapainawabganj district.
In Chapainawabganj, the capital of mangoes, about 60 percent of the trees have budded this year. Even with that small bud, the light of hope was burning in the minds of the farmers. But recently these mango buds have fallen due to Chaitra rain. As a result, not enough seeds came to the tree. But instead of buds came green leaves.
Those concerned say that compared to last year, the production of mangoes in this district may be reduced by half. This will affect the economy of the district. Foreign exchange earnings will be weak.
The agriculture department has set a target of 4 lakh 50 thousand metric tons of mango production in the district this year. Which is 25 thousand metric tons more than last year.
However, the picture at the field level is quite different. Farmers say that compared to last year, mango production will be reduced by half. Because this time 60-65 percent of the trees do not have mango pods.
Israel Hossain of Shahbazpur area of Shibganj said, We are involved in mango business as a family. All my grandparents did mango business. I have also been doing this work for 15 years. But for the last 4-5 years the capital is almost exhausted after multiplying the losses. Last year the mangoes were also good because of the abundant budding. But I did not get such a price. And this time there are very few buds on the tree. Still it rained a lot a few days ago. All the buds and pods of the mango are rotten.
Abdul Baten, a resident of Shibganj’s Israel Square, said, “I have a mango orchard of different varieties on about 2 bigha of land this year. 80 percent of the trees had buds. If the yield was in that proportion and the price of mangoes was fair, the profit would have been about 3 lakhs. But now there are 30% mangoes in the garden. All remaining buds have dropped and green leaves have emerged on 40% of the trees. As a result, the cost of care is borne. There is an intense heat wave on it.
Isarul Islam, a mango grower of Sadar Upazila, said that my family runs on mango money. But this time there are no mangoes on my tree. Everything is ruined by the rain. I wanted to be smiling after Eid. When I came to see the garden, I felt bad. I am worried about how to irrigate the garden during the heat wave and where to get money for pesticides.
Ahsan Habib, member secretary of Chapainawabganj Mango Foundation, said that Shibganj produces the most mangoes in the district. But this time the condition of mangoes in Shibganj is very bad. There is a doubt whether the cost of pesticides will be raised by selling mangoes to our farmers.
He also said that diseases are more common in mango orchards this time. Due to this disease, the mango pulp is falling off.
Ismail Hossain Shamim Khan, General Secretary of Shibganj Mango Producers Cooperative Society, said, due to climate change, the incidence of winter was very high this year. This is mainly the reason why there are less buds in the garden. And the rain has caused extensive damage to mango buds. That’s why there are almost no mango trees in our upazila. Hopefully, 40 percent of the trees in the district will have mangoes.
Palash Sarkar, Deputy Director of Chapainawabganj District Agriculture Extension Department, said that since there were many buds on mango trees last year, this year can be called off season. However, during the onset of winter, there will be some crop damage due to heavy fog and untimely excess rain a few days ago. Mango yield will be totally reduced especially in big trees.
He also said that due to the current drought, water supply should be increased through irrigation at the base of the trees. There are more natural disasters ahead. Such as winter storms, hailstorms. If this happens, the production of mangoes will decrease further. All in all, the mango production we expected may not happen this time.
Bangladesh Time: 1411 hours, April 23, 2024
SI
