Ultra High-Density Mango Plantation increased mango yields in the Barind area of Rajshahi. Photo: BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, July 13, 2025 (BSS) - High-density mango farming, specifically Ultra High-Density Mango Plantation (UHDMP), has significantly increased mango yields and farmer income in the region, predominantly in the Barind area, for the last couple of years.

Farmers and officials concerned unanimously said the UHDMP method has gained popularity as the growers are earning more profit using the system.

Besides, the modern farming system has brought a new dimension to the local economy by diversifying the cropping pattern.

Rafiqul Islam, 54, a farmer of Enayetpur village in Mohadevpur upazila of Naogaon district, developed a UHDMP orchard consisting of 130 trees of Amrapali, 40 BARI-4, and five Banana mango trees on 35 decimal of land in 2019.

Since then, he has maintained the orchard as recommended by the officials concerned during the last six years. Last year, he earned around Taka 1.50 lakh after selling mangoes harvested from his trees.

"I'm very much happy and inspired by the modern farming method as it gives us more money compared to many other conventional crops and systems," said Shahin Akter, 35, of Sherpur village under Gomostapur upazila in Chapainawabganj. 

Hefaz Uddin, 65, a resident of Bailkapara village of Nachol upazila in the same district, has got double benefits from adopting the method.

He got a yield from 84 trees in 2021, fetching Taka 51,120. "I harvested 6 to 7 kilograms of fruit from each of the trees on average," he said with a smile, while talking to BSS on Saturday. 

He expected more income from his land with the application of new agricultural technology, saying the method draws additional income by doubling the yield, contributing to the living standard of the local people.

In 2018, he planted 100 trees of the BARI-4 mango variety on his one acre of land using the UHDMP method as he got technical support from the officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE). 

Ziarul Islam, 38, has become a promising farmer in his Chabbishnagar village of Godagari upazila as he has earned around Taka 1.60 lakh after selling mangoes of 160 trees last year. 

He said the UHDMP orchards are contributing a lot towards extra income, giving better life to the beneficiary family members.

Rubel Hossain, 32, a young farmer of Toktokia village of Tanore upazila, has become an icon in this field as he found the path of ensuring improved life for his family members through extra income.

Last season, he sold around 916 kilograms of mangoes from 130 trees worth around Taka 55,000. 

Hossain said more income will come from a piece of land with the application of new agricultural methods without much difficulty, and the income is expected to increase gradually. 

Apart from the aforesaid ones, many other farmers have achieved financial improvement after adopting the UHDMP method which has brought a remarkable change in mango plantation in the region.

Former DAE Director Monzurul Huda said local agro-business opportunities are expanding through strong public-private partnerships. New mango orchards, especially of high-yielding varieties like Amrapali and BARI mango-3 and 4, are increasing across Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts every year.

He said UHDMP enables fruit production within two to three years, compared to eight to nine years for traditional larger trees. The method also allows planting up to 200 trees per bigha, compared to only 10 in conventional systems.

Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Atanu Sarker noted that the smaller mango varieties are gaining popularity due to shorter harvest time and higher tree density per plot.

Huda added that a silent revolution has occurred in mango farming in recent years, as grassroots farmers increasingly adopt UHDMP for better yields and income. The method also improves agro-water productivity, reduces groundwater use, and boosts farmer earnings in the water-stressed Barind region.

Dr Shafiqul Islam, Principal Scientific Officer at the Regional Fruit Research Station, said proper management of irrigation, fertilizer, and canopy is crucial for UHDMP success. He emphasized the importance of timely pruning-preferably before July 15-to maintain fruiting shoots and contain canopy growth.

"About a month after pruning, thinning the newly emerged shoots is essential to prevent overcrowding," he said, adding that the method can triple productivity, cut irrigation water use by 50 percent, and improve fertilizer uptake.