Mango farming begins in Bihar after monsoon on war footing

Gopalganj: Mango gardening has got underway after the monsoon rains. Current weather is ideal for the plantation of mango saplings. Crowds have turned up at different nurseries in Bihar to purchase mango plants in several parts of Bihar, especially in Gopalganj. Besides Jarda, Maldah, the demand for Chaunsa mango plants has also started increasing for gardening. Chausa has gained popularity among the farmer community due to its better crop and its good price.

Most farmers are moving from traditional farming to gardening owing to income. Sawan and Kartik months are an ideal condition for the plantation. In this season, the chance of plants drying or rotting is negligible. Plants are being given to farmers under the Horticulture Mission by the Agriculture Department. Farmers are insisting on planting better-quality saplings at their own cost.

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Farmer Ganesh Sah, who runs a mango nursery in Koini, says that the farmers of the district have been giving preference to Jarda and Maldah varieties, but this time farmers’ inclination is seen towards the Chaunsa variety because it is likely to give more income. Chaunsa ripens late in comparison to other mangoes. It also sells at a better price at that time. Fruits start appearing within two to three years of planting the saplings.

Mango farmers in the Gopalganj district consider the plants coming from West Champaran to be better. Many nursery operators in West Champaran have stocked plants at different places in the district by sending consignments of plants in vehicles. Local farmers also buy plants from these stocks.