Mango History
Who does
not love mangoes – with
their unique flavor, fragrance and texture? The King among Fruit is thriving
very well in Bangladesh, thanks to the modern methods of horticulture that are
used to nurture the mango trees. Mangoes grow widely all over Bangladesh and
there are innumerable varieties to charm the connoisseur. Each variety has its
own admirers. Some of the better mangoes are the superior grafted varieties
whereas the local or Deshi aam is grown from seedlings.
The main mango growing regions are
around Rajshahi,
Chapainawabganj, Nawabganj, and Dinajpur. The better varieties of mangoes have
exotic names like Fazlee, Langda, Gopalbogh, Himsagar, Khirsapat, Ashhwina,
Khisanbogh, Kuapahadi, Lata Bombai, Foria, Bombai, Kohitoor, Laksmanbhog,
Mohanbhog, Misribhog etc. Fazli, Lengra, Gopalbhog and Khisrapat are considered
to be the premier varieties – food fit for the Gods!
Each has its distinctive flavor and arguments about the
superiority of one over the other can get very serious. Though these are table
varieties, meant to be relished as cut fruit, there are others that are used
for making jam, jelly, squash, chutney, and pickle. The raw green mango is even
added to a dal or curry to enhance the flavor.
Once only Chapainawabganj was famous
for growing mangoes, but huge mangoes are also
produced in Rajshahi district. There are over 270 varieties of sweet edible
mangoes in the Rajashahi region alone. Newer groves are being set up and
high-quality fruit trees have been planted along the boundaries of the paddy
fields.
December to February is when the mango trees blossom.
These grafted mango plants quickly start bearing blossoms only a year or two
after the planting. Mango growers try hard to nurture and support their young
trees during this period. If all goes well at this time of the year the growers
can expect a bumper crop of mangoes.
Mango is the leading seasonal cash crop of the northwestern
region of Bangladesh and dominates the economy in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj
districts. There is no large industry here. Most of the people are employed for
different jobs on the orchards such as nursing, harvesting and packing mangoes
for transportation during the season every year.
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