Prospect of exporting agricultural products, including fruits, vegetables and betel leaf, from Rajshahi region is very bright as both acreage and yearly yield of those has been rising gradually for the last couple of years in the region.
So, emphasis should be given on promoting best practices from cultivation to harvesting of the exportable crops so that those are sold at an additional price.
The observations came at a daylong training workshop titled "Value Chain of Exportable Fruit, Vegetables and Betel Leaf" here on Sunday.
The Business Promotion Council of the Ministry of Commerce organized the workshop at the office conference hall of the Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).
Principal Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) Dr Sayedur Rahman and Deputy Director of Crops Quarantine Centre in Chapaianwabganj Samir Chandra Ghosh addressed the workshop as resource persons disseminating their expertise on the issue. Chief Scientific Officer Hafizur Rahman and former director of DAE Monzurul Huda also spoke.
The workshop was told that triple-cropping paddy fields are gradually being converted into mango orchards commercially because the seasonal fruit is being judged as more profitable compared to the grain crops at present.
There are bright prospects of exporting mangoes worth around Tk 200 crore from the region, including its vast Barind tract, every year as both acreage and yearly yield of the delicious fruit have been rising gradually for the last couple of years.
Monzurul Huda said the annual export earnings could have been more if the existing problems related to mango export were solved.
Time-fitting steps should be taken to solve the problems on priority basis so that the region can enhance its contribution to the national export through enriching its export list.
Dr Sayedur Rahman said Fazli mango of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, betel leaf of Rajshahi and Khirshapat of Chapainawabganj have attained GI certification accreditation.
So, the two varieties of mango and betel leaf will get special privileges in terms of export if those were produced through using best practices.
Best practices of growing, harvesting and marketing of mangoes are being maintained strictly for ensuring the delicious taste of the fruit for the consumers.
Dr Rahman said emphasis is being given on the development of packaging systems for increasing the export of mangoes to other countries.
All concerned including agricultural officials and researchers, farmers and businessmen are working together.
