File Photo

MEHERPUR, June 6, 2026 (BSS) - As dawn breaks over the sprawling mango orchards of Meherpur, hundreds of workers fan out across the district’s groves to harvest one of the season’s most prized fruits. From towering trees, baskets brimming with freshly picked mangoes are carefully lowered by rope, while teams on the ground sort, pack, and load the harvest onto waiting carts. 

The bustling scene, set against a backdrop of lush greenery, transforms the orchards into a vibrant seasonal festival as the region’s mango harvest reaches its peak.

While Rajshahi is widely recognized as Bangladesh’s leading mango-producing region, growers in Meherpur proudly claim their mangoes are unmatched in taste and aroma. Farmers attribute the distinctive sweetness of Meherpur mangoes to the district’s fertile soil, favorable weather, and meticulous orchard management.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), mango orchards cover 2,361 hectares of land across Meherpur district this season, with a production target of 40,000 metric tons of mango. Harvesting activities are now at their peak in the orchards spread across Gangni, Mujibnagar and Sadar upazilas.

Nearly 1,000 seasonal workers have been employed to harvest the fruit. Workers typically operate in teams of eight to ten members under the supervision of a team leader. Daily wages range between Taka 500 and Taka 600, while team leaders receive Taka 700. Orchard owners also provide lunch and an additional incentive of four kilograms of mangoes per worker each day.

“We work in orchards every mango season as a team,” said Babu Hossain, a worker from Meherpur town. “Climbing trees is difficult and risky, but the wages and the mangoes we receive make it worthwhile. We keep some fruit for our families and sell the rest.”

Another worker, Abdus Sattar, described a long-standing tradition among harvesters. “The workers who pick the mangoes get the first look at the fruit. We usually keep some of the best mangoes for ourselves, but it does not cause any loss to the orchard owners,” he said with a smile.

Orchard owner Abdur Rahman of Gangni upazila said timely harvesting is crucial during the peak season. “The volume of ripe mangoes that must be collected each day cannot be managed without sufficient workers. Although wages, meals, and mango incentives increase costs, delayed harvesting can result in much greater losses,” he explained.

Growers and orchard owners have identified a shortage of skilled workers as a growing challenge. Harvesting requires climbing tall trees and working under varying weather conditions while handling large quantities of fruit.

Farmers maintain that although Rajshahi leads the country in overall production, Meherpur mangoes have earned a strong reputation for quality and taste. Demand for popular varieties such as Himsagar, Langra, Amrapali, and several local cultivars continue to rise in markets across the country.

As baskets are filled under the shade of the orchards and trucks carry freshly harvested mangoes to markets, the fruit remains more than just a seasonal crop for Meherpur. For thousands of people, it represents a vital source of income and employment.

Sanjeev Mridha, Deputy Director of DAE, Meherpur,, said that alongside traditional varieties including Himsagar, Bombay, Langra, and Amrapali, year-round mango cultivation projects are being expanded in the district.
“With the development of twelve-month mango orchards, consumers are expected to have access to mangoes throughout the year in the future,” he said.

The district produced 38,177 metric tons of mangoes in the last season, and officials expect increased production this year as cultivation continues to expand.