In Chapainawabganj district, Bangladesh, mango farmers are confronting potential setbacks this season, with a notable reduction in bud formation, particularly among larger trees, due to adverse weather conditions. This phenomenon, known as a mango-off year, is characterized by alternating annual production levels influenced by natural growth cycles and external factors. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) attributes the diminished bud count to the cold weather, holding out hope for improvement with warmer temperatures ahead.
The area, renowned for its expansive mango orchards covering 37,604 hectares, yielded 443,625 metric tonnes of mangoes in the previous year. Mango bud development, typically spanning early Magh to mid-Falgun, has been affected by the current cold spell. Mango growers, including Abdur Rakib from Chapainawabganj municipality, acknowledge that attentive tree management may enhance bud production in off years, though they face the dilemma of cultivation costs potentially surpassing profits. Additionally, natural disasters pose a further risk to farmers already dealing with low bud counts.
Concerns are shared by mango farmers Mohammad Alam and Babu, who cite the weather as detrimental to this year's bud formation. Despite significant investments in their orchards, the prospect of achieving a return on their expenditure is uncertain.
Source: thefinancialexpress.com.bd
