RAJSHAHI, April 8, 2025 (BSS)- Prolonged heat wave and sultry weather coupled 
with lack of rain are seen causing concerns for mango farmers, with reports 
of a potential drop in production in the region. 

Mango orchard owner Saiful Islam of Chapal village under Godagari upazila 
informed the young mangoes from his trees are falling away in hot and dry 
weather.

A moderate rainfall would save the mangoes. He said he was pouring water at 
the feet of the trees daily but that is not working well.

Prolonged heat wave has frustrated the mango farmers, traders and others 
concerned as around 60 percent of immature mangoes have reportedly fallen due 
to the natural calamity in the region.

Dr Shafiqul Islam, principal scientific officer at Fruit Research Station, 
blamed consistent heat and lack of rain for the smaller sizes of the fruit 
variety.

Over the last five years, the Rajshahi district administration has been 
fixing the deadline for picking mangoes in Rajshahi.

It is painful for Tajul Islam, 56, to see what has happened to his beloved 
mango orchard in Rajshahi city's Borobongram Namopara.
 
Amid the ongoing heat and absence of rain, almost 20 percent of his 25 mango 
trees have shed their buds before they could become mature fruits.

With the prolonged rainless situation, farmers of seasonal fruits are worried 
that the heat may affect the harvest. This may mean fewer mangoes and lichis 
this summer which, no doubt, is also bad news for lovers of these delectable 
seasonal treats.

Like Tajul, many of Rajshahi's mango farmers are facing a potential disaster 
as bad weather, including drought, has gripped the region.
 
The heat and the absence of April rain have resulted in the blossoms drying 
up and falling off, raising concerns about a major drop in production this 
season.

While officials at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) have 
acknowledged the challenges posed by the drought, they have also assured 
farmers that a complete disaster is unlikely.
 
Available reports indicate 10 percent of all mango buds have fallen off in 
many orchards in the region consisting of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon 
and Natore districts, said Dr Azizur Rahman, additional director of the DAE.
 
The DAE expects an aggregate yield of 12,19,910 tonnes of mangoes this year 
from 93,224 hectares of land in the four districts that account for half of 
the country's total mango production, he added.
 
Last year, the region produced 12,07,263 tonnes of mangoes.
 
As things stand, the DAE is now suggesting the use of the flood irrigation 
method to save the fruits from drought.
 
"Moderate irrigation will not work this time. Growers need to keep their 
mango orchard under constant irrigation," said the DAE official.

Dr Azizur Rahman said mangoes survive by facing natural calamities. If the 
existing immature mangoes on the trees survive and the farmers take proper 
care, the target set for mango production will be met.
 
According to the sources of the DAE, 1,207,263 tonnes of mangoes were 
harvested last season But there is an apprehension of declining mango yield 
this year.
 
In Chapainawabganj, there are orchards on 37,604 hectares of land with the 
prediction of yielding 450,000 tonnes of mangoes. In Naogaon, another mango 
producing district, around 432,000 tonnes of mangoes are expected from 30,300 
hectares of land.
 
Rajshahi district is expected to yield around 260,000 tonnes of mangoes from 
19,602 hectares of land this year.
 
Another grower, Anwar Hossain Polash of Arpara village in Bagha upazila, said 
he had hoped for a bountiful harvest this year, as farmers usually see a 
bumper yield every other year. Last year, his mango orchard on 60 bighas of 
land saw a 40 percent drop in production.
 
"I harvested 4,000 maunds of mangoes last year, but this year's production 
will barely cross last year's amount," he added.
 
Meanwhile, litchi, another much-coveted summer fruit, is also being affected 
by the unforgiving weather.

Juvenile mangoes, litchis and even standing paddy in Rajshahi region are 
drying up and falling away due to extreme heat and a long absence of 
rainfall.
 
Moksed Ali of Haripur area under Paba upazila was pouring water through a 
bucket at the feet of the Litchi (Lychee) trees. He said there has been no 
rain for a long time this year. The leaves of the trees are getting cramp in 
the heat of the burning sun.
 
Some of the juvenile litchis are also being dried up. That is why he was 
pouring water on the tree-trunks hoping for any benefit.