RANGPUR, Nov 06: Farmers of Kawnia upazila in the district have geared up sowing of early variety potato seeds with new zeal and optimism just after harvesting short duration of Aman paddy during the current season.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said around 5,200 hectares of land have been brought under early variety potato cultivation in the upazila during the current Rabi season.
The target may exceed as farmers including a large number of sharecroppers, particularly in the char areas are expected to cultivate potato on vast tracts of land.
Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) is providing quality potato seeds among the farmers in order to enhance its production.
The authorities concerned are supplying fertilisers, pesticides and other inputs to the farmers to ensure proper cultivation.
Besides, many commercial banks and NGOs provided easy-term agriculture loans for the purpose.
A good number of farmers told the FE correspondent that they cultivated early variety of potato in more areas to recoup the losses they suffered last season.
Now sowing of early variety potato seed is going on at Char Nazirdaho, Char Pollimari, Char Prannath, Char Chatura, Char Rajib, Hasbatkhaon, Gonai Char and some other areas in the upazila.
Farmers are cultivating different varieties of early potato including sheel bilatee, lal sheel, Granula, cardinal and kufri.
"More than 30 per cent cultivation has already been completed, and we are hopeful of attainting a good yield if the weather remains conducive," farmers said.
Upazila Agriculture officer Saiful Islam said, the soil of char areas is very suitable for potato cultivation. For this reason farmers are showing more interest in cultivating early variety potato just after the harvesting of short duration Aman paddy.
The farming will get further momentum after November 15, he added.
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