Mangoes are one of Bangladesh’s most valuable crops, but to truly grow our export market, we need to adopt smart, modern practices. As an expert in this field, I know that increasing the production of export-quality mangoes can open doors to more global markets and bring significant economic benefits to our country. However, the journey from the orchard to international markets requires careful planning and the right strategies.
In this post, we’ll cover 16 simple but effective steps that can boost the production of exportable mangoes. These include using fertilizers and irrigation properly, expanding mango farming to new regions, and switching to better mango varieties through top-working. We’ll also look at ways to improve post-harvest handling, storage, and transportation to maintain the high quality needed for exports. By implementing these strategies and ensuring government support, we can create more jobs, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and position Bangladesh as a key player in the global mango market.
Let’s explore how these proven strategies can help Bangladesh become a leader in mango exports.
16 Proven Strategies to Boost Exportable Mango Production in Bangladesh
The mango industry in Bangladesh has the potential to be a global leader, but to fully unlock this potential, farmers and exporters need to adopt modern, efficient practices. Below, we explore 16 key strategies to improve exportable mango production in Bangladesh.
1. Use of Fertilizers and Irrigation at the Right Time
Proper use of fertilizers and irrigation is critical to ensuring high-quality mango production. By applying nutrients and water at the right stage of growth, farmers can increase both yield and quality, making mangoes more suitable for export.
2. Adoption of Modern Technology to Control Diseases
Implementing modern pest and disease control measures is vital to growing mangoes that meet international standards. Using pesticides safely and adopting eco-friendly practices can protect the crops and help produce healthier fruit for export.
3. Expansion of Mango Cultivation in New Regions
Regions like Chittagong, the hilly areas, and Sylhet are ideal for mango cultivation. By expanding into these areas, Bangladesh can increase its total mango production, providing more mangoes for both domestic consumption and export.
4. Switching to Better Varieties Through Top-Working
Top-working allows farmers to replace less productive mango trees with higher-yielding varieties. By adopting this practice, the quality and quantity of mangoes can be enhanced, making them more attractive to international buyers.
5. Supply of Quality Seedlings and Cuttings
The availability of high-quality seedling cuttings is crucial for growing exportable mangoes. Government and BADC horticultural nurseries should ensure that farmers have access to the best possible planting materials.
6. Prolonging the Availability Period of Mangoes
One of the major limitations in mango export is the short harvest season, which lasts only a few months. Extending the availability of mangoes through staggered planting and harvesting methods will allow Bangladesh to provide a steady supply to the global market.
7. Eliminating Harmful Chemicals for Ripening
The use of harmful chemicals to ripen mangoes poses a serious risk to both health and export potential. Encouraging farmers to adopt natural ripening techniques will improve the quality and safety of Bangladesh’s mangoes.
8. Implementing Hot Water Treatment
Hot water treatment is a proven method to keep mangoes bright, fresh, and free from fruit flies. This process helps extend the shelf life of mangoes, making them more suitable for international shipping and export.
9. Advanced Training for Mango Farmers and Exporters
Training is key to improving the entire mango supply chain. Providing advanced education on collecting, storing, packing, and transporting mangoes can significantly improve the quality of mangoes destined for export.
10. Government Support and Registration
To strengthen the mango export industry, government support is essential. Mango producers, suppliers, and exporters should receive assistance, and be registered under relevant associations to ensure coordination and maintain high standards.
11. Ensuring Stable Market Management
A stable and well-regulated market benefits both farmers and exporters. Market management systems should be put in place to prevent price fluctuations, ensuring that no farmer or exporter suffers losses during the mango season.
12. Creating International Market Opportunities
To grow Bangladesh’s global presence in mango exports, traders need to actively explore international markets. By traveling abroad and building relationships with foreign buyers, Bangladeshi mangoes can reach more consumers around the world.
13. Developing Cold Storage and Transportation
Cold storage and frozen transportation facilities are critical for preserving mangoes during export. Without proper storage, mangoes can lose their freshness, affecting their quality by the time they reach foreign markets.
14. Encouraging Cooperative Mango Storage
Farmers should be encouraged to establish cooperative mango storage facilities. This helps in better managing post-harvest storage, reducing spoilage, and ensuring that more mangoes are available for export.
15. Increasing Research on Mango Varieties for Export
More research should be conducted to develop mango varieties that are specifically suited for international markets. Understanding the preferences of foreign buyers can help Bangladesh produce mangoes that meet the needs of diverse markets.
16. Discouraging Mango Imports
Encouraging local mango production over imports is essential for the growth of the domestic mango industry. By focusing on local production, Bangladesh can meet its domestic needs while also producing enough for export.
Conclusion: Unlocking Bangladesh’s Mango Export Potential
To boost exportable mango production in Bangladesh, farmers, exporters, and government bodies must work together to implement these 16 strategies. With the right support and modern techniques, Bangladesh can become a global leader in mango exports, providing economic benefits for the country while offering consumers around the world the finest mangoes.
