Rangpur: Farmers in all five districts of the Rangpur agricultural region have commenced the transplantation of Aman rice seedlings, with the process expected to reach full momentum by the end of this month. Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) have set a target to produce 20,10,505 tonnes of clean Aman rice, equivalent to 30,15,757 tonnes in terms of paddy, from 6,20,430 hectares of land in the region this season.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the target includes the production of 16,75,683 tonnes of high-yielding varieties of Aman rice from 5,24,036 hectares of land, 3,14,162 tonnes of hybrid varieties from 85,450 hectares, and 20,660 tonnes of local varieties from 10,910 hectares. In the previous season, farmers cultivated Aman rice on 6,16,299 hectares of land, resulting in the production of 18,88,538 tonnes of clean rice, equivalent to 28,32,807 tonnes in terms of paddy.
Farmers have prepared seedbeds on 29,645 hectares of land, close to the requirement of 30,349 hectares, to meet the cultivation target of 6,20,430 hectares. "Farmers have already transplanted Aman rice seedlings on 1,770 hectares of land till Thursday," stated Md Shafikul Islam, Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region.
The interim government has initiated special measures to ensure balanced fertilization and the adoption of improved technologies, aiming to enhance rice production despite the decreasing cultivable land area. The DAE is distributing high-quality Aman rice seeds and fertilizers to small and marginal farmers as incentives to aid in cultivation.
Additionally, preparations for late varieties of Aman rice seedbeds on highlands and floating seedbeds in low-lying areas are underway to prevent seedling shortages during potential flooding. Farmers, along with the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), will have irrigation pumps ready for timely planting in case of low rainfall or droughts.
"DAE officials are providing necessary assistance, training, and latest technologies to farmers for successful Aman rice cultivation," Md Shafikul Islam added. Enthusiastic farmers are actively transplanting seedlings and preparing croplands, benefiting from favorable climatic conditions.
Farmers from various villages, including Abdur Rahman, Litan Mia, Nurul Islam, and Mahbubur Rahman, have reported preparing seedbeds and plan to begin planting next week. Others like Mominul Haque, Gias Uddin, and Md Farhaduzzaman have already started transplantation after preparing necessary seedbeds.
Md Sirajul Islam, Deputy Director of the DAE for Rangpur, confirmed that farmers have started transplanting Aman rice seedlings with great enthusiasm, aiming to achieve the set farming and production targets for the region.