Desk News || As harvesting of Rangpur's Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged 'Haribhanga mango’ is in full swing, it is expected that this juicy seasonal fruit may generate a business worth Taka 300 crore this season in Rangpur district alone.Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) have predicted that there will be an excellent harvest of relatively large-sized 'Haribhanga mango’, despite some damage during fruit setting due to natural calamities.'Haribhanga mango’ is currently being sold at a relatively good price of Taka 1,700 to 2,400 per mound (40 kg) at the Podaganj Haat in Mithapukur upazila, widely known as the home of ‘Haribhanga mango’ of Rangpur. However, from next week, the price may increase to Taka 2,400 to Taka 3,000 per mound and from the third or fourth week of July, when the harvest is almost over, it may increase to Taka 3,600 to Taka 5,000 or even more. According to the DAE sources, farmers generally produce around 38,000 tonnes to 40,000 tonnes of ‘Haribhanga mango’ from their orchards in over 2,556 hectares of land every year in five districts of Rangpur agricultural region. Of them, they produce about 30,000 tonnes of ‘Haribhanga mango’ from orchards in about 2,000 hectares of land in Rangpur district alone annually. Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region Krishibid Md Shirajul Islam told BSS that 'Haribhanga mango’ has been officially recognized as a GI product of Rangpur on February 12, 2024.  He said, "The agriculture-based rural economy of Rangpur is flourishing with the increased cultivation of 'Haribhanga mango’, which has already made hundreds of farmers self-reliant."  Many youth have become engaged in online marketing to reach the tasty fruit to people across the country through courier services. The rate of mango supply directly from the garden through Facebook and e-commerce platforms within the country has increased several times in recent years. “This time, around Taka 250 crore to Taka 300 crore worth of ‘Haribhanga mangoes’ are expected to be sold by farmers in Rangpur district alone,” he said. Farmer Mosabbirul Ahmed of Podaganj said, “My orchard on eight acres of land has suffered some damage due to hailstorms. Still, I hope to make a good profit by covering the losses as mangoes are at a good price,” he said. Although there is a huge trade potential around this mango, farmers are somewhat worried about the lack of cold storage or modern storage facilities.  “Since the Haribhanga mango is perishable, special trains or fast moving vehicles should be arranged for its transportation and better trade to benefit farmers,” he suggested.While visiting the Podaganj Haat today, this reporter found that carats of mangoes have been arriving there since morning in auto rickshaws, vans and pickups.  Many people have been seen standing on the market road with mangoes on bicycles and vans, selling mangoes. The sale of mangoes has become bustling with the presence of buyers.  Mangoes can be seen being loaded onto trucks from a warehouse next to the market. There was a crowd of many businessmen and ordinary people around it. Some are sending mangoes directly from the orchard to different areas.  Talking to media, online traders Kamruzzaman and Rezaul Islam said that they have been delivering ‘Haribhanga mangoes’ online maintaining the quality across the country.  “We have been receiving an increasing number of orders everyday for supplying-Haribhanga mango-,” Kamruzzaman said. Local mango farmer Aminul Islam said that wholesale and online traders have come to the Podaganj area from different parts of the country.  A businessman Mohammad Abu Hasan has come from Dhaka to Podaganj Haat to purchase the ‘Haribhanga mangoes’ and send them to the capital city. “Many other wholesalers like him have also come here from different areas of the country. So far, the business is good,” he said. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ruhul Amin said, "Steps will be taken to increase mango exports, develop infrastructure, renovate roads, construct wash blocks, establish bank branches at Podaganj Haat, and launch mango trains."