Mango Growers in Natore See Strong Recovery After Last Year’s Poor Yield

A year after weak production left many orchards in Natore struggling to recover costs, mango growers across the district are entering this season with a markedly different outlook. Trees that produced little or nothing last year are now carrying heavy clusters of fruit, raising expectations of a stronger market and better returns for farmers.

Across the four upazilas where mango cultivation dominates the rural economy, orchards are showing signs of an unusually healthy season. In villages including Gouripur, Gopalpur and Mominpur, branches weighed down by Gopalbhog, Langra, Khirshapati and the early-ripening local variety Aati are bending close to the ground.

For growers who endured last year’s disappointing harvest, the change is difficult to miss.

Md Israil Hossain, a college teacher who also manages a mango orchard in Lalpur, said many of his trees remained nearly barren last season. This year, he estimates more than 70 percent are carrying fruit.

“Last year, half of my trees yielded nothing,” he said. “This year, over 70 percent are full of fruit. We are expecting at least four to five maunds per tree.”

The recovery, however, has come with significant investment. Farmers said maintaining orchards through fertiliser application, pest control and regular care has pushed cultivation costs to between Tk 27,000 and Tk 30,000 per bigha.

Still, many believe the stronger output will offset those expenses. Israil expects profits of around Tk 1 lakh per bigha if weather and market conditions remain stable during harvest.

In Mominpur village, farmer Md Hamidul Islam said his 10-bigha orchard has also rebounded sharply. Of his 450 trees, around 350 are now laden with mangoes. He has already sold four trees to a trader for Tk 30,000, with each expected to produce more than five maunds.

“Last year, we barely saw any profit due to poor output,” he said. “While a bigha of mango orchard sold for Tk 1.5 to 1.8 lakh last year, expectations have risen to Tk 2.5 to 2.8 lakh this season.”

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension in Natore, mango cultivation has expanded to 5,693 hectares this year. Officials have fixed a production target of 68,316 metric tonnes, with the district’s seasonal mango trade expected to exceed Tk 400 crore. Last year’s estimated market value stood at around Tk 350 crore.

Deputy Director Md Habibul Islam Khan said the final production figure could surpass the official target.

“Natore has become a leading hub — now the fourth-highest mango-producing district in the North,” he said. “Cultivation has grown rapidly over the last two decades.”

Officials say maintaining fruit quality has become increasingly important as Natore’s role in the national market expands. A growing share of mangoes from the district is now being prepared for export through fruit-bagging methods intended to reduce chemical exposure and preserve quality standards.

With harvesting set to begin, the district administration has finalised a schedule aimed at ensuring fruit reaches markets at the proper stage of maturity.

Local Aati mangoes will enter markets from Friday. Gopalbhog harvesting is scheduled from May 25, followed by Khirsapat on May 30, Lakshmanbhog on June 5, Langra and Amrapali on June 15, Mohonbhog and Haribhanga on June 25, Fazli on June 30, Mallika on July 5, Bari-4 on July 15, Ashwina on July 20 and Gourmati on August 10.

The district is also preparing for litchi harvesting. Officials said Mozaffar litchis can be harvested from May 17, while Bombay and China-3 varieties will follow from May 25. Production this year is expected to reach around 7,540 metric tonnes from 4,887 hectares of land.

Deputy Commissioner Asma Shahin said coordination efforts are underway at the upazila level to ease transportation and market access during the peak harvesting period so produce can move smoothly from orchards to consumers.

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For now, in orchards across Natore, growers are watching the trees closely and hoping this season finally delivers the recovery they had been waiting for.