Rangpur: The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target of producing 23,08,712 tonnes of clean Boro rice (34,63,068 tonnes of paddy) from 5,09,095 hectares of land in Rangpur agriculture this season.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, additional Director of DAE for Rangpur region, Agriculturist Md Sirajul Islam, stated that extensive steps will be taken to assist farmers in the intensive Boro rice cultivation program to enhance rice production during the current Rabi season.
Farmers in the region are expected to produce 11,13,907 tonnes of hybrid variety Boro rice from 2,30,316 hectares, 11,75,866 tonnes of high yielding variety rice from 2,77,753 hectares, and 1,939 tonnes of local variety Boro rice from 1,025 hectares of land. The interim government plans to support farmers by ensuring the proper cultivation of this major cereal crop, which has encouraged them to bring more land under Boro rice cultivation.
Currently, farmers are engaged in harvesting Aman paddy and sowing Rabi crops such as potato, maize, mustard, and winter vegetables in the same cropland. Seedbeds of early Boro rice varieties are set to be prepared from next month, with early planting in lowland and riverine char areas beginning mid-December to complete the harvest before the monsoon.
Agriculturist Sirajul Islam noted that the planting process of Boro rice seedlings on the mainland will gain full momentum from mid-January. After completing the Aman rice harvest in mid-December, farmers from the Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari, and Lalmonirhat districts are anticipated to focus on the intensive Boro rice cultivation program.
Various organizations, including the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, and Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), along with commercial banks, will assist farmers. They will ensure the supply of quality seeds, fertilizers, and power to facilitate Boro rice farming.
Field level DAE officers will provide necessary support and technology to farmers to boost rice production and ensure food security, despite the challenges posed by climate change. Independent Medal 2018 winner (food security) Agriculturist Dr Md Abdul Mazid advised completing the transplantation of Boro rice seedlings by February 15 to achieve maximum yield. He also recommended the adoption of the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation method for cost-effective water and fuel use.
Farmers Isahaque Ali, Faruk Rahman, Abul Kalam, Mazharul Islam, and Jamir Uddin from various villages in Rangpur Sadar upazila expressed their intentions to cultivate more land with Boro rice this season. Manik Mia, a farmer from Darshona village, plans to cultivate Boro rice on his five acres of land this season, continuing from last year.