THE land coverage of mango orchards has declined in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj this year as farmers increasingly convert orchard land into fish ponds. This has raised concern about the change in land-use patterns in the traditional mango belt. Department of Agricultural Extension data show that mango orchard areas in Rajshahi fell by 541 hectares to 19,062 hectares in the 2026 financial year from 19,603 hectares in the 2025 financial year. The district now has around 37 lakh mango trees, of which about 60 per cent have flowered this season. In Chapainawabganj, widely regarded as the prime mango-producing district, orchard area declined marginally to 37,487 hectares from 37,504 hectares a year ago, with nearly 70 per cent of its 92.4 lakh trees blossoming. Officials and growers attribute the contraction largely to rapid aquaculture expansion, as farmers pursue quick and more predictable returns amid rising input costs, labour shortage, erratic weather, pest attacks and volatile ...