PRAN Mango Fest kicks off at Rabindra Sarobar
The PRAN Mango Festival has begun at Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, bringing together mango growers from across Bangladesh for what is being called the country’s largest mango-themed event.
For the first time, farmers from renowned mango-producing regions are directly selling their produce at the festival, which runs from Thursday (July 10) to Saturday (July 12). All major varieties of Bangladeshi mangoes are available for display and purchase.
The event aims to educate the younger generation about the origin, history, and heritage of local mango varieties. To enhance the festive atmosphere, traditional games and cultural performances representing rural Bengal are being featured throughout the three-day festival.
As part of the entertainment segment, popular rock band Warfaze and well-known singer Oyshee are scheduled to perform later this afternoon.
The festival is open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm with free entry for all visitors.
A visit to the venue on Thursday morning revealed numerous stalls set up around the Rabindra Sarobar premises, showcasing both fresh mangoes and a variety of mango-based products. A stage is being prepared for the evening concert, and several game corners have been arranged nearby.
Munnuzan, a visitor from Dhanmondi 15, said, “This is undoubtedly a wonderful initiative. Mangoes from heritage orchards are available here, and I bought some.”
Rakib Hasan, a farmer from Rajshahi’s historic Raypara orchard, shared, “Our orchard is over 200 years old. I’ve brought Fazli mangoes, which are selling for just Tk 50 per kg. Other varieties like Amrapali, Bari-4, and Mallika are available at another stall for Tk 80 per kg.”
He added, “We came here with PRAN’s support. Festivals like this are a great opportunity for farmers like us.”
PRAN Group Managing Director Eleash Mridha said, “PRAN is the country’s largest buyer of mangoes. Each season, we source mangoes from nearly 10,000 contract farmers, which are then processed into juices and other products sold year-round.”
He added, “The domestic mango-based product market is worth around Tk 1,500 crore, and demand abroad is growing. Proper branding is key to expanding exports. PRAN plays a vital role by producing juices, mango bars, pickles, and drinks from local mangoes and exporting them to 148 countries. Our goal is to take Bangladeshi mangoes to every corner of the world.”
Md Moniruzzaman, Executive Director of Agricultural Marketing Company Ltd (AMCL-PRAN), said, “This is our first time organizing a Mango Festival. To make it more appealing to youth, we’ve included cultural events and interactive games—all open to the public.”
Despite some early rainfall, festival organizers remain optimistic. Asif Zaman, Senior Manager of Marketing Events, said, “Visitor turnout was slightly low in the morning due to the weather, but we expect a larger crowd by afternoon. Preparations for the concert are ongoing, and efforts are being made to keep the festival vibrant despite the rain.”