Asaduzzaman Asad, Jashore

Mango farmer Noor Islam Sardar of Sharsha has changed his fortune by cultivating Bari-11 variety 'Baromasi' Mango developed by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute.

Various types of mangoes including Himsagar, Fazli, Nengra Rupali are valued and demanded abroad. But since these mangoes are seasonal, they are not available throughout the year, and farmers get low prices.

However, the new variety Bari-11 mango developed by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute is available throughout the year.

As these mangoes are available in season, there is a demand in the market and good prices are also available. Noor Islam Sardar of Pipragachhi village of Bagachra Union of Sharsha said that his family has been prosperous by selling these mangoes for many years.

Noor Islam has been associated with nursery work for 23 years. At first he worked as a laborer in various nurseries. Later he built a fruit nursery on a piece of land of his residence.

Noor Islam said, besides the nursery, there was already the thought of setting up a mango garden. We focus on mango cultivation with the help and advice of the local agriculture department. In 2018, on their advice, I set up a mango orchard of Katiman variety on three bigha land.

Next year in 2019, I took a six bigha land lease for ten years and planted the new variety of Bari-11 mango seedlings developed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute.

He said, 'Last year, I sold about 4 lakh rupees worth of mangoes from the garden. It has made a profit of over 3 lakh rupees. 40 to 45 tons of mangoes are available per bigha. Three bigha land costs about one lakh taka per year. So far this year I have sold mangoes worth one lakh and twenty thousand taka and mango cuttings (seedlings) of this variety for about taka 60 thousand.

Noor Islam said, I have started picking mangoes from the garden since January. We are selling mangoes from the garden at Tk 400 per kg. The yield and demand are both good. Bari-11 variety mangoes are available three times a year. Selling this variety of mangoes makes one lakh 68 thousand taka per bigha per year. Noor Islam said that it is possible to earn.

Due to his success, many educated unemployed youths of the area are now being encouraged to cultivate Bari-11 varieties of mangoes. The local agriculture department is providing the necessary technical support and advice to the mango farmers.

During the mango season, more than two thousand mango farmers cultivate at least 959 hectares of land in Sharsha upazila at Jashore.

There are 3 thousand 144 mango orchards of Himsagar, Lengra, Fazli, Gopalbhog, Amrapali, Rupali and Mallika varieties in Sharsha upazila, said agriculturist Pratap Kumar Mondal.

It can be seen on the surface, Noor Islam has planted mango seedlings of 1 bari-11 variety in three bigha land. The mangoes are bent towards the ground due to more mangoes on small treesThe same tree is budding again and again. Most of the smaller trees have 100 or more mangoes hanging on them. After a few days, they are taken down from the tree and sold in packages. These mangoes are sold at the price of 400 taka per kg in the market.

Agricultural extension officer Tarun Bala said that the total number of mango orchards in Sharsha upazila is 3 thousand 144.

The total land area is seven thousand 193 bighas (959 hectares). Two thousand and 67 farmers are the owners of these mango orchards. Langra variety mangoes are cultivated in 132 hectares of land, Himsagar variety of mangoes are cultivated in 420 hectares of land, Rupali 190 hectares, Bari-4 variety of 15 hectares. , Katimon variety 2 hectares and other varieties of mango cultivated in 200 hectares.

"Bari-4, Bari-11 and Katiman varieties of mango trees yield three times a year. Farmers are also getting good prices for unseasonal mangoes, so many are showing interest in planting these varieties of mango trees."

Sharsha Upazila Agriculture Officer, agriculturist Pratap Kumar Mondal said, Bari-11 variety of mangoes taste good. These mangoes are available throughout the yearAs these mangoes come in the market outside the mango season, farmers are getting good prices, so many people are showing interest in creating new orchards.

If someone plans to grow a garden, there is a possibility of success in this variety of mango cultivation. This mango tree can also be planted on the roof of the house.