Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Monday urged the media to help create awareness among all stakeholders with their greater in-depth and investigative reporting to protect both mango producers and consumers rights.  

Shahriar, as a representative of key mango-producing region (North Bengal), made the call during a views-exchange meeting with journalists who cover agricultural affairs at the Foreign Ministry in presence of mango producers.  

The state minister said the mango producers and businessmen are now much more conscious about the use of pesticides in mangoes compared to the past years.  

He thinks grater in-depth and investigative reports over the changes could help create awareness among farmers, businesspeople, administration and consumers.  

‘Not only mango producers and businesspeople, common people in villages are very much aware about the use of harmful chemicals,’ said M Zillur Rahman, a mango producer from Bagha Upazila of Rajshahi.

M Shawkat Ali, a businessman from Charghat Upazila of Rajshahi, said the campaign over formalin and other chemical use in mangoes was not fully true. ‘Due to such a campaign, no mango garden in Rajshahi is sold out so far in advance.’  

He said the entire chain -- thousands of farmers, businesspeople and workers involved in the entire process -- will face huge financial losses affecting the economy.

The businessman sought support from the media to remove the ‘misperception’ about formalin use in mangoes.  

The reporters put forward their suggestions and urged the farmers and business people to make sure formalin are avoided at all stages -- production to consumer.