PATUAKHALI, July 18, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has opened new opportunities for cultivating improved exotic mango 
varieties and year-round guava in the saline coastal areas of southern Bangladesh.

It has brought fresh hope to agriculture long affected by salinity, waterlogging and climate change.

Located at Lebukhali village in Dumki upazila of Patuakhali district, the Regional Horticulture Research Centre of BARI is conducting research to 
identify fruit varieties suitable for coastal soil, weather and environmental conditions and to develop appropriate cultivation technologies.

As part of the research, improved mango varieties collected from different countries are being evaluated, with several varieties showing promising 
results after multi-season trials.

The research centre said 31 exotic mango germplasms are being evaluated in the field during the 2024-25 season. Researchers are assessing their 
adaptability, yield potential, fruit size, colour, taste, sweetness, edible portion, shelf life and disease resistance.

Among the tested varieties, Miyazaki, Lady Jane, Chiang Mai, Taiwan Red, Kujai and King Chakapat have drawn special attention for their attractive red 
skin characteristics. Researchers said successful commercial cultivation of these varieties could create a new market for red-skinned mangoes in 
Bangladesh and open up export possibilities in the future.

The research also found remarkable results in fruit size. A mango of the Brunei King variety weighed 2,351 grams, the highest among the tested 
varieties. In quality assessment, the Chiang Mai variety showed the highest edible portion at 81 percent, while the Sada Dofala variety recorded 26 
percent Brix (soluble sugar content), indicating its high sweetness.

Several varieties have also shown potential in yield performance. The estimated production of Chiang Mai mango was 2.73 tonnes per hectare, while 
Kingston Pride and Katimon varieties also produced encouraging results.

One of the significant findings of the research is the off-season fruiting ability of the Chokanan mango variety. Although the main mango season in 
Bangladesh generally runs from May to August, researchers said commercial expansion of such varieties could allow farmers to produce mangoes during the 
off-season and earn higher market prices.

Chief Scientific Officer of BARI's Regional Horticulture Research Centre Dr Mohammad Alimur Rahman told BSS that the research is being conducted 
considering the soil, climate and environmental characteristics of the coastal region.

"Adaptability, yield, quality, harvesting period and storage capacity of exotic mango germplasms are being evaluated," he said.

Dr Rahman said most of the varieties demonstrated promising performance in terms of fruit size, colour, taste, edible portion and shelf life. However, 
he said no variety is recommended based on the results of only one or two seasons.

"After analysing data from multiple seasons, the most suitable varieties for the southern region will be selected," he added.

He said BARI is also focusing on technology transfer to farmers alongside research activities. Farmers are being trained on improved sapling supply, 
orchard management, fertilizer application, pest and disease control and modern cultivation practices.

Local farmers have also expressed interest in fruit cultivation. Dumki farmer Md Abdul Karim told BSS that farmers previously had limited knowledge about 
exotic mango cultivation in coastal areas.

"BARI's research has created new possibilities for us," he said.

Mst Rehana Begum, a farmer from Bauphal upazila, said income sources of coastal farmers are limited.

"Alongside rice cultivation, expansion of fruit farming can create opportunities to increase farmers' income," she added.

Researchers believe that with proper variety selection and modern management practices, profitable fruit orchards can be developed even in saline and 
waterlogging-prone coastal areas.