Malda: In a first-of-its-kind,
mangoes, generally enjoyed during the hot summers, will also
be available in the off season, with farmers in West Bengal
planting new varieties which will bear fruit in winter also.
Mango growers in Malda district, famous for the fruit,
usually plant trees which yield fruit in summer and often go
without much earning in winter, officials said.
"Varieties such as Baramasia, Dofala, Topala, Vastara
and China Vastara are being promoted after farmers in
Adisaptagram and Bandel in Hooghly district got very good
yield last winter," District Mango Development Officer,
Samarendranath Khanra told agencies.
These varieties of mango trees blossom in June-July
and the fruits ripen in winter, he said.
As the price of mango is very high in winter, the
farmers expect to reap good economic benefit, horticulture
department officials said.
Khanra said the farmers of the district have shown
keen interest in planting these new varieties.
The saplings would be available free of cost from
nurseries in Gajole and Ratua, he said.
Malda district in West Bengal is famous for its mango
and it is grown on more than 26,000 hectares of land across
the district.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 20:07