Shariatpur:Farmers in Shariatpur are anticipating a bumper harvest of transplanted Aman rice this season, thanks to the adequate availability of agricultural inputs, guidance from agriculture officials, and favorable weather conditions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Shariatpur set the cultivation target for transplanted Aman at 17,135 hectares this season. However, farmers have surpassed this target by cultivating the crop on 17,512 hectares, exceeding the goal by 377 hectares.
The distribution of the cultivated land includes 1,168 hectares in Shariatpur Sadar, 555 hectares in Naria, 3,638 hectares in Zajira, 2,051 hectares in Damudya, 5,562 hectares in Bhedarganj, and 4,528 hectares in Gosairhat upazilas. Harvesting has commenced, with paddy already collected from 1,926 hectares. The district's total production target is set at 51,820 tonnes.
As the Nabanna harvest festival approaches, farmers are diligently harvesting and threshing their crops. Observations across different upazilas show golden paddy fields, with farmers actively working to gather their ripened crops. The farmers have expressed satisfaction with the healthy growth, well-developed panicles, and fully matured grains.
Mozarol Mia, an Aman farmer from Mridhakandi in Balar Bazar, Bhedarganj Upazila, noted that the favorable weather conditions contributed to achieving a better yield than expected. He expressed hope that the good harvest would enable him to recover production costs, and a slight increase in market prices would further benefit farmers.
Sobhan Sharif, another farmer from Mirbaharkandi, Zajira Upazila, attributed the successful yield to favorable weather, timely transplantation, balanced fertiliser application, and proper crop management. Md Jahidul Alam, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Shariatpur, highlighted that regular field monitoring and assistance from the agriculture department have significantly contributed to the abundant production of the food grain.