Satkhira mango growers eye increased volume of export

FT ONLINE

Mango growers in Satkhira are eyeing at exporting a larger volume of the juicy fruit to Europe this year, following the success of last two years.

Satkhira farmers exported 121 metric tonnes of mangoes in 2017 and 37 metric tonnes in 2016 to European markets. This year the export volume is expected to hit 200 metric tonnes.

Himsagar variety of mango grows in plenty in this southwestern district, which is expected to yield 40,000 MT of mango this year.

Director General (DG) of Agricultural Extension Department Mohamed Mohsin has inaugurated the mango export by symbolically plucking a mango from a plant in the district.

On this occasion a workshop was ogranised on mango export on Saturday at Shatkhira Sadar Upazila Parishad Auditorium.

The organisers said there is a potential demand of 1,000 MT of Bangladeshi mangoes in the European Union market while some 200 MT chemical and pesticide-free mangoes will be supplied from Satkhira.

As many as 500 mango farmers have been given training on safe production of chemical and pesticide-free mangoes in the district.

Deputy Commissioner of Satkhira, Mohammad Iftekhar Hossain, presided over the function.