Dinajpur: Farmers in Dinajpur district have achieved a bumper harvest of Aus paddy on 9,912 hectares of land this year, surpassing the cultivation target by 12 hectares through modern farming methods and government incentives. Additional Deputy Director (Training) of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Dinajpur, Md Mostafizur Rahman, highlighted the successful cultivation in all 13 upazilas of the district, attributing it to favorable weather and support from field-level agricultural officials.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the agriculture department had initially set a target to cultivate Aus paddy on 9,900 hectares. However, the introduction of the high-yielding BRRI-98 Aus variety led to an expansion in cultivated area. At the start of the season in May, the agriculture department provided BRRI-98 seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides free of charge to 7,350 farmers, along with continuous support and technical advice.
Md Rafiqul Islam, a former union parishad member, noted that farmers in Karnai and Nashipur villages successfully cultivated BRRI-98 Aus paddy on a cooperative basis, yielding 75 to 80 maunds per acre. The paddy is currently sold between Taka 1,050 to Taka 1,100 per maund, with additional income from straw sales aiding farmers in recouping cultivation costs.
Md Khademul Islam, a model farmer from Enayetpur village, elaborated on the benefits of regular guidance from agriculture officials, which helped him achieve a good yield. As farmers prepare to complete harvesting within the week, plans are underway to plant early potato varieties on the same land.
Md Abdul Matin, sub-assistant agricultural officer of Sadar upazila, noted the transition of land previously used for Rabi crops to Aus cultivation, enabling the production of three crops annually with improved varieties. The government's free distribution of agricultural inputs has been instrumental in boosting production.
Md Rakibul Islam, Sadar Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer, reported a bumper yield on 972 hectares in Sadar upazila. The initiative is fostering financial self-reliance among farmers and encouraging further Aus paddy cultivation.
DAE Deputy Director Md Afzal Hossain expressed satisfaction with the high yields observed during his visits to Aus paddy fields across the district. The growing interest in the BRRI-98 Aus variety is seen as a positive outcome of agricultural research efforts.