Photo: BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) - Mango orchards across the Rajshahi region have burst into full bloom, with trees heavily laden with blossoms and their sweet fragrance drifting through the air, raising hopes of a bumper harvest this season.

From Rajshahi to Naogaon, Natore and Chapai Nawabganj, nearly every orchard presents a similar picture. According to officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), around 63 percent of the mango trees in the region have already blossomed, encouraged by favourable weather conditions.

Delwar Hossain, a farmer from Katabari village in Patnitala upazila of Naogaon, said he owns a 30-bigha mango orchard. He noted that mango varieties usually blossom at different times, but this year almost all the trees flowered simultaneously.

"Normally, depending on the variety, flowering occurs at different times. But this year, almost all trees bloomed together. I'm not sure why," he said.

Dr Md Shafiqul Islam, Chief Scientific Officer at the Rajshahi Fruit Research Center, attributed the abundant flowering to smooth seasonal changes.

He said winter ended without late fog or rainfall, and temperatures rose gradually without sudden fluctuations. "As a result, the trees were able to maintain their natural flowering process," he explained.

He described the current weather as ideal for blossoming, adding that flowering was comparatively lower last year. Trees that produced fewer blossoms in the previous season have flowered more abundantly this year.

Dr Islam advised farmers to irrigate their orchards and apply fungicides and insecticides once after flowering to protect the blossoms and ensure healthy fruit setting.

In Baneshwar area of Puthia upazila in Rajshahi, small trees were seen bending under the weight of blossoms. Orchard owner Md Rajib said the absence of fog and rain had created favourable conditions for flowering.

However, he cautioned that the month of Falgun is not yet over and storms could still occur, potentially causing some blossoms to drop. "Even then, considering the number of blossoms, we expect a good yield this year," he said.

In Chapai Nawabganj, one of the country's leading mango-producing districts, orchards are also covered in blossoms. Ismail Khan, a farmer from Shibganj upazila, said last year's relatively lower flowering encouraged farmers to take extra care of their orchards.

"With proper management and favourable weather, the trees have produced abundant blossoms this year. We are hopeful of a strong harvest," he said.

According to the DAE, mango orchards cover 92,552 hectares across Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore and Chapai Nawabganj districts this year, with a total of 34,960,554 trees. So far, 63 percent of the trees have blossomed.

Last season's production stood at nearly 450,000 tonnes in Chapai Nawabganj, 432,000 tonnes in Naogaon, 260,000 tonnes in Rajshahi and 134,000 tonnes in Natore. Officials expect production to surpass last year's output if weather conditions remain favourable.

Dr Azizur Rahman, Additional Director of the Rajshahi Divisional Office of the Department of Agricultural Extension, expressed optimism about an excellent harvest.

He said field-level agricultural officers are working in every upazila to provide technical support to farmers. Efforts are also underway to facilitate mango exports this season.

"We are hopeful not only of a bumper harvest but also of increased exports this year," he added.