In Bangladesh, mangoes are highly valued, with the country being recognized as a significant producer. In 2022, Bangladesh exported 791 tons of mangoes, a substantial increase from the previous year. Despite being the world's seventh-largest mango producer, Bangladesh holds a modest position in the global mango market. This situation is attributed to the inconsistency in the application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) by local farmers. GAPs are essential for minimizing quarantine risks and are a prerequisite for exporting mangoes to international markets.
Efforts to enhance mango export potential in Bangladesh are underway, with Virginia Tech experts collaborating with local fruit exporters. The initiative aims to promote the adoption of GAPs among farmers to meet international sanitary and phytosanitary standards. Muni Muniappan, director of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Integrated Pest Management at Virginia Tech, emphasized the importance of addressing pest problems to facilitate the export of Bangladesh's mango varieties.
Beyond mangoes, Virginia Tech's involvement in Bangladesh includes the introduction of agricultural technologies such as the use of Trichoderma and the grafting of tomato and eggplant seedlings. These initiatives aim to reduce farmers' reliance on chemical pesticides and enhance agricultural productivity.
Source: news.vt.edu