Rangpur: Farmers have produced 1,84,603 tonnes of clean Aush rice (2,76,905 tonnes in terms of paddy) in all five districts of the Rangpur agriculture region during the just-ended Kharif-1 season. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) had set a target to produce 1,91,460 tonnes of clean Aush rice (2,87,190 tonnes in terms of paddy) from 63,255 hectares of land in the region this season. However, farmers managed to cultivate Aush rice on 61,163 hectares, which was 2,092 hectares less than the targeted area. Despite this reduction, the farmers successfully harvested their Aush rice last week, achieving an average yield rate of 3.02 tonnes per hectare. Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region, Md Sirajul Islam, highlighted the increase in Aush rice farming despite climate challenges, crediting the government's efforts in promoting agricultural practices. The government's initiatives, executed through the DAE and other related organiza tions, have included distributing high-yielding variety seeds and fertilizers, offering training and technical support, and conducting motivational campaigns. These efforts have encouraged farmers to adopt Aush rice cultivation as an additional crop during the off-season, between harvesting Boro rice and planting Aman rice seedlings. Krishibid Md Sirajul Islam noted that these practices have led to increased rice production in the region. Historical data shows consistent production levels, with 1,84,617 tonnes produced in 2024, 1,84,600 tonnes in 2023, and 1,78,777 tonnes in 2022. Rice scientist Dr Md Abdul Mazid, who received the Independence Award-2018 for food security, expressed satisfaction with the annual expansion of Aush rice cultivation. He praised the authorities' efforts to encourage the cultivation of Aush rice, which requires less irrigation. Dr Mazid also emphasized the benefits of using rainwater to grow Aush rice during the off-season, thereby contributing to sustainable food security. Loca l farmers, including Ariful Haque, Manik Mia, and Mofizar Rahman, reported satisfaction with the market prices of newly harvested Aush paddy, ranging between Taka 1,250 and Taka 1,300 per mound.
