Mango production is increasing in the country. Compared to last year, exports have also increased. Exports are likely to increase in the future as well. The increase in the production and export of mangoes is due to the various steps taken by the government, policy support and the vast contribution of the spread of agricultural technology.
Scientists fear that the yield of mangoes may be slightly less due to the effects of excessive heat this year. Still, there is no shortage of efforts by mango growers to increase mango production. Several varieties of mangoes are exported abroad to meet the demand of mangoes in the country. According to news sources, among the mango varieties exported abroad last year were BARI Aam-3 (Amrapali), Khirshapati, Fazli, Handibhanga, Langra, Katimon, Gaurmati, Bari Mango-4, Banana Mango, Bombay, Lakshmanabhog and Kahitur. BARI Aam-3 (Amrapali) has been the most exported.
It is about 40 percent of total exports. Last year, 37 companies exported mangoes to 34 countries. Among the countries where mangoes have been exported are England, Sweden and various European countries, United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Bahrain and various Middle Eastern countries. Adherence to good agricultural practices in mango production is very important for mango export. On top of that, the GI recognition of mangoes is even better. Kshirsapati, Fazli, Lara and Ashwina have received GI recognition so far.
Bangladesh ranks seventh in mango production in the world. According to national daily news, a review of the production and export of mangoes in the last seven years shows that the total production of mangoes in 2016-17 was 21.43 lakh metric tons and the export amount was 309 metric tons. In 2017-18 the total production of mango was 23.72 lakh metric tons and export was 232 metric tons but in 2018-19 the total production of mango was slightly less which was 22.79 lakh metric tons and export was 310 metric tons.
In this case, it can be seen that the production has decreased slightly compared to the previous year, but the export has increased slightly. In the following year 2019-20, the total production of mango stood at 24.68 lakh metric tons which is more than the previous year but the export in that year is slightly less which is 283 metric tons. Similarly, in 2020-21, the total production of mangoes was 2.5 million metric tons and the export amount was 791 metric tons.
Again, in 2021-22, the total production of mangoes decreased slightly to 23.5 lakh metric tons and the amount of export was 1,757 metric tons, more than double than the previous year. On the other hand, in 2022-23, the total production of mangoes increased to 27.5 lakh metric tons and exports were 3,100 metric tons. The source mentions that mango production may be 10% to 15% less than last year in the current year i.e. 2023-24.
According to the national daily source, Mohammad Arifur Rahman, Project Director of the exportable mango production increase project, DAE said that only Chapainawabganj has exported 242.27 tons of mangoes in 2022-23 season which is almost double compared to 2021-22. Mukhlesur Rahman, Chief Scientific Officer of Regional Horticulture Research Center, BARI, Chapainawabganj said, "Work is underway to develop new mango varieties. BARI Aam-3 and BARI Aam-4 are going abroad.
According to daily news source, the Honorable Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Wahida Akhtar said in a workshop on exportable mango production and awareness that it is normal for exports to meet the countrys needs. In order to send mangoes abroad, the mangoes must look beautiful and the outer part of the mangoes must be sterile. Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mahbubul Haque Patwari said, we have one to one and a half million people scattered in different countries. It is a huge opportunity for us in mango export. This opportunity should be utilized appropriately.
According to daily news source, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Bakhtiar said, "We have already developed the Good Agricultural Practices or GAP module. At the pace we are going, we will be able to fully exercise the gap from next year. Bangladeshi mangoes are the best mangoes in the world in terms of color and taste. This mango is not available anywhere else. But due to lack of gap we are not able to exploit its benefits. Agriculture in Bangladesh has come a long way now. The government has taken various measures to increase the export of mangoes. If these steps are used properly, the benefits will be more.
In order to increase export of mango, Determining export targets properly; Having a specific plan of how many mangoes of which variety will be taken for export from whom through contract farming; Strengthen coordination between ministries or stakeholders concerned with exports; Conduct mass media campaigns to inform growers of the characteristics or standards of exportable mangoes; Establish monitoring framework and strengthen monitoring at the farmer level to practice good agricultural practices in quality mango production; Setting up modern warehouses in commercial mango producing areas said BARIs Senior Fruit Scientist Dr. Sarof Uddin.
As the opportunity to export mango abroad is increasing, so is the opportunity to export processed mango products. It is easy to make various value added products from mango. There is immense scope to increase the production and supply of various processed products such as mango pickle, mango chutney, mango juice, mango satwa, mango jam/jelly, dried mango, fresh-cut mango, green mango juice and more. About 80% of the mangoes produced in the country are consumed directly and the remaining 20% are processed.
Agribusiness will expand through processing. A new class of entrepreneurs will be created. For that government patronage as well as private processing factory owners should come forward. Modern quality pack-houses should be built in the commercial areas of mango production. If private processing company come forward, it is possible to export more value added product of mango. If the opportunity to export mangoes as well as processed products is increased by meeting the internal demand, the mango industry will develop in the country and the economy will be stronger.
The writer is Principal Scientific Officer, BARI and Former National Consultant, FAO, United Nations
