Rooftop Mango Cultivation: 5 Recommended Varieties Available at Tree Fair
Urban dwellers can now bring nature to their doorsteps through rooftop gardens, and the addition of mango trees can enhance this experience significantly. Several mango varieties have been developed that yield abundant fruit even when grown in small pots or drums. The National Tree Fair in Agargaon is currently offering saplings of these improved mango varieties from nurseries and government institutions across the country. Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Joint Director of BADC Orchard Development Center in Kashimpur, Gazipur, has identified five mango varieties that are particularly suitable for rooftop cultivation and offer the best yields. These include Amrapali, known for its sweet taste and compact, bushy growth habit, making it ideal for small drums and producing fruit annually. Katimon, a Thai variety, offers year-round fresh mangoes, yielding fruit three to four times a year, with a continuous cycle of flowering, fruiting, and ripening on the same tree. Bari-4, developed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), is a late-season variety that matures after the typical mango season ends; it is large, fiberless, and delicious with an attractive color when ripe. Chiangmai, a famous Thai variety, is known for its elongated pink fruit that is sweet even when unripe and has excellent yields with low pest infestation. Finally, the Banana Mango, another Thai variety, is named for its long, banana-like shape and attractive color; it is also very tasty with thin skin and a flat seed, maximizing the edible portion. Saplings are available at affordable prices at the BADC stall (numbers 34-35) at the fair, with Amrapali, Bari-4, and Banana Mango priced at 100 Taka each, Katimon at 250 Taka, and Chiangmai at 300 Taka. For successful rooftop mango cultivation, it is recommended to use half drums or large pots at least 20 inches in size, ensure proper water drainage, use balanced fertilizer regularly, and prune branches correctly to ensure excellent yields year after year.
This event highlights the growing trend of urban agriculture and the innovation in horticultural practices to adapt fruit cultivation to limited spaces. The availability of specific mango varieties, like Amrapali and Katimon, at a national tree fair demonstrates a market response to consumer demand for fresh produce in cities. The pricing strategy, with some varieties significantly more expensive than others, reflects factors such as novelty, yield frequency, and perceived quality. This initiative supports food security at a micro-level and promotes biodiversity within urban environments, while also presenting an economic opportunity for nurseries and agricultural development corporations. Future considerations might include scaling these successful rooftop models and ensuring sustainable water and nutrient management in densely populated areas.
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