Photo: BSS

BARISHAL, June 18, 2026 (BSS)- An innovative mango cultivation project in Barishal has attracted widespread public attention by producing 10 different varieties of mangoes on a single tree through grafting techniques. 

Officials say efforts are now underway to increase that number to 15-20 varieties.

The multi-variety mango saplings are being developed at the Rahmatpur Horticulture Centre in Barishal. 

A single native mango tree is grafted with branches of several well-known varieties, including the internationally recognized Miyazaki from Japan, Nam Dok Mai, Red Ivory, Tokmai, Three Taste, and local favorites such as Amrapali, Bari-4 and Bari-11.

According to Assistant Horticulture Officer Md. Abu Bakkar, customers can purchase saplings containing up to 10 mango varieties, and additional grafting can be done based on demand. 

Buyers also receive practical training on the care and maintenance of these trees.

Horticulturist Ferdous Ara Mita said the initiative aims to encourage higher productivity from smaller trees while promoting the nutritional benefits of mangoes. 

She said that ripe mangoes are rich in vitamin A and green mangoes provide vitamin C, making a single multi-variety tree capable of meeting much of a family’s seasonal fruit needs.

The Rahmatpur Horticulture Centre reportedly sells around 250,000 fruit saplings each year. Of these, approximately 150,000 are multi-variety mango saplings, reflecting strong public demand. 

Visitors from different regions are increasingly coming to see the trees before deciding to purchase them.

Local visitor Rashid Sikder expressed surprise after seeing a tree bearing 10 different mango varieties and said the concept should be promoted more widely for household gardening.

Another buyer, Mahbub Hossain, praised the initiative and suggested that each sapling should be accompanied by an instructional guidebook to help owners care for the plants effectively.

Deputy Director Md. Oliul Alam of the Barishal Horticulture Department said that 74 mango varieties have now been successfully cultivated in the region, including premium international varieties such as Miyazaki and Nam Dok Mai, both of which have produced good yields over the past two years. 

He added that farmers can obtain high-yielding mango saplings from the centre at government-approved prices.

According to official figures, mango cultivation currently covers about 3,233 hectares across the six districts of the Barishal Division, producing an average of approximately 52,730 metric tons annually. 

Authorities believe the success of multi-variety grafted trees could further strengthen the region’s mango industry and encourage wider adoption of modern horticultural practices.