Summer has arrived and so have mangoes. Fruit markets in Rajshahi have received the first batch of mangoes, mostly some indigenous varieties, this summer. However, most consumers are unhappy about the high prices of the newly arrived mangoes. The Gopalbhog and Khirshapati varieties are yet to hit the market properly. Consumers have to wait for them some more days. Mangoes will be available in abundance by the middle of June as all varieties of the fruit will hit the markets by that time. Along with officials of the Rajshahi Fruit Research Centre, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), mango farmers and traders, and thedistrict administration organised a view-exchange meeting on harvesting of mangoes on May 9. Rajshahi deputy commissioner SM Abdul Kader presided over the meeting. It was decided that ripe mangoes should be harvested from trees to ensure formalin-free fruits.

The district administration has fixed the harvest date of mangoes as per their varieties. As per the chart, Gopalbhog mango harvesting started from yesterday. The Himsagor variety will be harvested next, said mango farmers.

Harvesting of Khirshapati (Himsagor) and Laxmanbhog has been scheduled for June 1, Langra for June 6, Amrapali and Fazli for June 16 and Arshina for July 1. According to DAE, Rajshahi, about six lakh metric tonnes of mangoes will be produced this season in the Nathan region due to favorable weather.

A monitoring committee has been formed to ensure all facilities and security for mango farmers, traders and consumers. This will be coordinated by upazila nirbahi officers, upazila chairpersons and agriculture officers in Rajshahi. A temporary office has also been opened near the Banessher mango haat. Three executive magistrates will on duty there for 24 hours. Police will also ensure smooth transport of mangoes. All branches of banks will remain open on Saturday.

SM Abdul Kader said: “The dates for mango harvesting have been fixed to ensure formalin-free fruits." Torikul Islam, a mango orchard owner from Charghat upazila in Rajshahi, said: “The trees are in full blossom this year because of pre-monsoon showers. We expect a selling and buying binge throughout the district.”

According to the Rajshahi Fruit Research Centre, mango has been cultivated on 17,463 hectares in the district this year. The target cultivation has been set at 2,426,189 metric tonnes.