PRAN to purchase 60,000 metric tons of mangoes this season

Local agro-based Industry PRAN started mango collection and pulping activities with a purchasing target of 60,000 metric tons this season.

Deputy General Manager of PRAN Agro Limited Factory in Natore Hazrat Ali made the announcement at a view exchange meeting with local journalists at the factory auditorium today, said a press release.

He said PRAN has started collecting a large amount of mango directly from the company`s contract farmers in different areas, especially Rajshahi, Natore, Chapai Nawabganj, Naogaon, Dinajpur and Satkhira.

Senior Manager for Contract Farming Department of PRAN Agro Business Limited M Kamruzzaman revealed PRAN collects mangoes from its 15,000 contractual farmers. The farmers get necessary assistance from the company. The purchase will continue until the supply of mango.

Describing different procedures of mango processing, Ali said: "We receive the mangoes at the factory after testing through quality control. Later, we check whether the mangoes are ripe, lean or rotten. Then, those mangoes are sent to laboratory for necessary tests, including formalin and PH."

After passing the laboratory test, the mangoes are sent to factory for processing. Pulp is collected and then preserved following aseptic technology. The advantages of this technology are to preserve the pulps for one year without freezing maintaining its taste and freshness.

From the pulp various kinds of mango drinks, mango bar and other food items, including jelly are produced in different factories of PRAN Group. Besides, pickles are made from green mangoes.

Head of Media Shujan Mahmud and AGM (PR) Zeaul Haque at PRAN-RFL Group and Abdul Kader Sarker, Senior Manager (Admin) at PRAN Agro Limited Factory were present.