Rajshahi: More than 5.40 lakh tonnes of wheat are likely to be produced from around 1.29 lakh hectares of land during the current season in all eight districts of the division. Farmers and all other field-level agricultural officials, scientists, and researchers concerned have adopted need-based steps for making the current-season's wheat farming a success in the region.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set the target of producing 4.20 lakh tonnes of wheat from 97,576 hectares of land in four districts of Rajshahi Agricultural Zone, while 1.20 lakh tonnes are expected from 31,315 hectares in four districts of Bogra Agricultural Zone under Rajshahi division. Dr. Azizur Rahman, additional director of DAE, stated that preparations are adequate and all field-level officials and staff are working tirelessly to achieve the target. He noted that farmers have been adding more land under wheat farming than the target fixed by DAE for the last couple of years.
Farmers and others concerned are optimistic about the overall wheat production during the current season in the region, particularly in the vast Barind tract. Various government and non-government entities have adopted diverse steps to make farming a success in the region, as the crop is suitable due to its water-saving and drought-tolerant features. The Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), the largest irrigation provider in the country's northwest region, is fully prepared to promote the water-saving crop to mitigate the region's water-stressed condition.
Abu Baker Mollah, a farmer from Panchandar village under Tanore upazila, is busy sowing wheat, attributing the timely sowing of seeds and the current cold spell as positive signs for achieving a bumper production of the cash crop. Dr. Zaherul Islam, principal scientific officer of the Regional Wheat and Maize Research Centre, stated that farmers in the Barind area are confident in wheat farming on new lands, as wheat is less water-consuming. The Wheat Research Centre has released 24 wheat varieties and other time-fitting technologies for commercial cultivation, with six new varieties offering tolerance to diseases and higher yields.
Sirajul Islam, a retired director of DAE, emphasized that promoting newly innovated varieties could help increase wheat yield, playing an important role in ensuring food security. Bangladesh produces around a million metric tonnes of wheat against a demand of approximately 4 million tonnes annually. Islam mentioned that the Rajshahi division contributes 35 per cent of the total area and 44 per cent of the total production, with prospects for expanding cultivation on rain-fed lands in the high Barind area.
ATM Rafiqul Islam, Manager (agriculture) of BMDA, noted that expanding wheat farming could mitigate water-stress conditions in the high Barind tract, as wheat is an environment-friendly crop. Large-scale wheat production is crucial for ensuring food security, as it is the second most important cereal after rice. Agriculturist Rafique suggested enhancing wheat farming acreage to ensure food security amid climate change. More support from international research organizations, including CIMMYT, is necessary for adopting heat-tolerant varieties and minimizing yield gaps in farmers' fields.