Gaibandha: Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has fixed a target to produce 4,28,616 tonnes of clean rice in the district during the current Aman season. To achieve this, a comprehensive plan has been established to cultivate T-Aman paddy across 1,33,120 hectares of land this season.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, out of the total land planned for cultivation, 59,105 hectares have been allocated in Sadar upazila, 52,533 in Sadullapur upazila, 33,942 in Palashbari upazila, 102,881 in Gobindaganj upazila, 99,586 in Sundarganj upazila, 47,002 in Saghata upazila, and 25,627 in Fulchhari upazila. The distribution includes 121,235 hectares under high-yield variety (HYV), 4,575 hectares under local variety, and 7,230 hectares under hybrid variety.
Farmers are currently engaged in transplanting Aman paddy seedlings in the wet fields. The Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has prepared 365 deep tube wells to provide irrigation water if required, as stated by an engineer from BMDA. Additionally, state-run commercial banks, including Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, have initiated the disbursement of agricultural loans on easy terms to assist farmers in cultivating T-Aman paddy without financial strain.
Furthermore, DAE is conducting training sessions for farmers to adopt modern paddy cultivation technologies, crop management practices, and proper use of fertilizers and seed preservation, noted Rostam Ali, acting district training officer of DAE. The transplanted seedlings have shown promising growth, raising farmers’ hopes for a fruitful harvest.
Deputy Director of DAE, Krishibid Khorshed Alam Sarker, mentioned that necessary measures have been implemented to ensure the availability of fertilizers, insecticides, and other agricultural inputs at the grassroots level throughout the Aman season.