Rich diversity of Bangladeshi mangoes showcased in Kathmandu

Kathmandu: The Embassy of Bangladesh in Kathmandu on Sunday hosted “Bangladesh Mango Delicacy “, a mango festival with Bangladeshi late-variety mangoes.

The event celebrated the rich heritage, exceptional quality, and diverse flavours of Bangladeshi mangoes and promoted Bangladesh’s growing potential in the export of fresh fruits and value-added agro-products.

Secretary General of the SAARC Secretariat, Md Golam Sarwar, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour and Joint Secretary of the South Asia Division of the Foreign Ministry of Nepal, Gahendra Rajbhandari, joined the event as Special Guest on behalf of the Foreign Secretary of Nepal.

The event was widely attended by the members of the diplomatic corps, senior officials of the Government of Nepal, representatives of the business community, leading importers, members of the media, and other guests.

In his welcome remarks, Bangladeshi Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s recent achievements in the agriculture and agro-processing sector. He mentioned that mango, in Bangladesh, is more than a fruit- it is an integral part of our culture, heritage, tradition and agronomy.

Recalling anecdotes from the history of the greater sub-continent during the Mughal Empire, he added that Bangladesh is home to some of the world’s finest mangoes, cultivated in the country’s fertile alluvial plains under favourable climatic conditions. He noted that renowned varieties such as Khirsapat (Himsagar), Haribhanga, Langra, Fazli, Gopalbhog, Amrapali, Ashwina, Banana Mango, Katimon, Gauramoti, and BARI Mangos are widely appreciated for their exceptional sweetness, distinctive aroma, superior quality, and nutritional value.

The exhibition featured an impressive display of fresh Bangladeshi mangoes alongside an extensive collection of processed mango products, providing guests with an opportunity to experience the unique taste, diversity, and culinary richness of Bangladesh.

The visitors from different sectors of society got a new orientation and insights regarding Bangladesh’s advances in modern horticulture, sustainable agriculture, and food processing technologies.

In the event, a mango farmer from Bangladesh, Rofiqul Islam, presented the method of special GAP-compliant mango cultivation in Bangladesh and his experiences of producing mangoes over 15 years. He shared some best practices from his experiences regarding mango cultivation in compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) under the supervision of the Bangladesh Agriculture Extension Department.

The event was not only a celebration of Bangladesh’s agricultural excellence but also an initiative to strengthen economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Nepal. The event aimed to create greater awareness among Nepali consumers and encourage business partnerships between exporters and importers of both countries, thereby expanding bilateral trade in agricultural and processed food products.

The guests appreciated the exceptional flavour, quality, and diversity of Bangladeshi mangoes. The Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to promoting trade, investment, and cultural exchanges between Bangladesh and Nepal and expressed confidence that initiatives such as “Bangladesh Mango Delicacy” would further strengthen the longstanding friendship and mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.

At the festival hall, different varieties of late-season mangoes from Rajshahi like Fazli, Amrapali, Bari-4, Katimon, Gauramoti, Ashina, etc. were displayed for visitors. Some processed items from mango, including mango juice, pickles, bars, dry mango, chatney, jam and jelly products from Bangladeshi brand companies, were also showcased.

A few documentaries were also screened featuring mango cultivation in Bangladesh, and highlighting the culture and tourism industry, including Beautiful Bangladesh. Some 250 visitors, including fruit businesspersons, traders, and chamber bodies, attended the event.

RSS