Gaibandha: Boro farming is nearing completion at all seven upazilas of the district this season, with farmers eagerly anticipating a good yield.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target to bring a total of 129,015 hectares of land under Boro cultivation this year with the production target of 594,161 metric tons of rice. Of the total, some 21,280 hectares of land will be cultivated in Sadar upazila, 15,630 in Sadullapur upazila, 12,559 in Palashbari upazila, 30,956 in Gobindaganj upazila, 26,790 in Sundarganj upazila, 14,500 in Shaghata upazila, and 7,300 in Fulchhari upazila.
Farmers in the district are busy preparing their land and transplanting Boro seedlings from seedbeds, hoping for a yield similar to last year’s production, stated Lal Miah, a farmer from Barobaldia village in Sadar upazila. To facilitate cultivation, farmers prepared seedbeds on 5,822 hectares of low land where the seedlings have grown well due to favorable climatic conditions, as noted by DAE official Rostam Ali.
Necessary measures have been implemented to supply fertilizers, insecticides, electricity, and other agricultural inputs to the farmers at fair prices. Additionally, irrigation facilities are being ensured. Besides, financial institutions, including Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, have initiated steps to provide loans to farmers on easy terms to support paddy farming.
To further support Boro farming, the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority is providing irrigation through 456 deep tube wells and 84 low lift pumps, informed Md. Shafiqul Islam. Deputy director of DAE Khorshed Alam Sarker revealed to BSS that over 95 percent of Boro paddy farming has been completed as of February 25, and efforts will continue until March 15.