Mango madness

Undoubtedly one of the more popular features of summer, mangoes from Rajshahi are ready to hit the market.

The annual harvest takes place in May every year, and this year, the early rains brought on by cyclone Fani, seem to have been a boon for mango farmers, who are predicting a bumper crop in 2019.

According to a report , the Rajshahi Fruits Research Institute said they have set a target to produce some 213,426 tonnes of mangoes from 17,465 hectares of land this year.

This succulent fruit grows mostly along the eastern districts in Bangladesh, which is home to some 800 varieties of mangos, of which 350 varieties are found in the Chapainawabganj district in Rajshahi, the undisputed mango capital of the country.

Aside from its irresistible sweet and tangy flavour, this superfruit is packed with antioxidants, fibre, and is a rich source of important nutrients.