Wait over! Satkhira mangoes to hit market from tomorrow
Satkhira's delicious mangoes are set to hit the market tomorrow (5 May), with local varieties including Gobindobhog, Gopalbhog, Bambai, Golapkhas eagerly anticipated.
This is the first phase of mangoes from the gardens of various upazilas of the district.
The popular Himsagar variety is expected in the market from 20 May and the Amrapali from 5 June, the Satkhira Agricultural Extension Department has said.
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This year, mangoes have been cultivated on 4,135 hectares of land in Satkhira. The production target has been set at 80,000 metric tonnes.
Satkhira Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Monir Hossain said Satkhira's mangoes are the first in the country to reach the market after ripening.
As a result, these mangoes are in high demand.
Besides, the mangoes of this district are incomparable in taste, he said.
Mangoes worth Tk400 crore will be sold and exported abroad in a month.
He also said mangoes should not be marketed using any chemicals or harmful substances.
There will be monitoring from all levels of the administration.
If anyone uses chemicals on mangoes, legal action will be taken, he added.
The Agriculture Department said mangoes from this district have been exported since 2016.
There is a huge demand for Himsagar and Amrapali in some countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Saiful Islam, deputy director of Khamarbari, Satkhira Agricultural Extension Department, said 60 metric tons of mangoes were exported abroad in 2014.
This year, 70 metric tonnes of mangoes are being prepared for export.
Shahinur Rahman, a mango farmer from Satkhira Sadar Upazila, said the yield has been good this time.
"I hope to get a good price. There will be profit in the sale."
Satkhira Deputy Commissioner Mostaq Ahmed said an exchange of views has already been held with officials of all the departments concerned, farmers and traders to ensure safe mangoes are delivered to the consumers.
Since mangoes in this district ripen in stages, a mango calendar has been announced.
No one will be able to pluck mangoes from the tree before the specified time.
