Off-season Gourmoti mangoes could be profitable for Thakurgaon

Gourmoti, a new off-season variety of mango, could be profitable for Thakurgaon.

Two mango farmers, Mahabbat Ali and his nephew Bulbul Ali, of Dakkhin Bangaon area in Ranishankail upazila have succeeded in producing the Gourmoti variety of mangoes. This variety gained popularity in the area due to its sweetness and deliciousness.

Farmers expected to sell the mangoes worth Tk40 lakh this season.

Mahabbat Ali said he, along with his nephew Bulbul, planted 1000 saplings of late-variety mangoes on 14 bighas of land four years back.

During a recent visit to the mango orchard, this correspondent found that they used fruit bags in their orchard, and a total of 400-450 maund of mangoes were to be harvested from the trees.

The weight of each mango is 650-800 grams, and each maund of mango is being sold at Tk10,000-12,000.

Many thronged the orchard of Mahabbat-Bulbul and showed interest in growing this variety of mangoes.

Ranishankail Upazila Agriculture Officer Shahidul Islam said, "This variety of mango tastes sweet and the farmers can sell them in the local market at a higher price due to its availability during off season."

He also assured of providing all necessary support to farmers who wanted to grow this variety of mango on their land.