Farmers of five districts of the Rangpur agriculture region and Gopalganj district are optimistic about achieving a good yield of Aman paddy this season, as cultivation of the crop has increased remarkably in the last ten years.
Our correspondent from Rangpur reports, currently, the Aman paddy is cultivated on more than 37,000 hectares of land, while the production has increased to over 600,000 tonnes.
Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Gaibandha fall under the Rangpur agricultural region.
According to the official sources of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Rangpur, Aman paddy was cultivated on 585,613 hectares of land in the five districts in 2016. The production was more than 1.4 million tonnes.
DAE sources said, 620,430 hectares of land was targeted to bring under Aman cultivation this year, but was later increased to 621,505 hectares. The production target is over two million tonnes, which may rise further due to favourable weather conditions.
Growers have not seen the desired amount of rainfall this season, which prompted them to use irrigation more, raising the cost of production.
Sabu Mia, a grower of Haragachh area in Rangpur's Kaunia Upazila, said he cultivated Aman on two bighas of land this year and had to bear Tk 2,000 as additional cost due to the lack of rain.
Momdel, a farmer of Laldighi area in Badarganj upazila under Rangpur district, told the FE that he cultivated Aman paddy on one bigha of land this year. Due to lack of rain, he has been irrigating the fields at the cost of Tk 120 per hour, he added.
Md. Shariful Islam, a grower of Rangpur's Andharkota, said he cultivated Aman paddy on three bighas of lands this season, spending around Tk 30,000.
Predicting a bumper production of the crop this season, the farmer expressed disappointment over the higher production cost owing to exorbitant prices of pesticides and fertilisers as well as labour.
Agriculturist Md. Enamul Haque, district training officer, DAE, Rangpur, told the FE that the cultivation of Aman paddy is increasing across the region due to the enthusiasm of the growers.
He also said that different varieties of Aman paddy, which mature in shorter durations, have also been cultivated in the region abundantly.
The agriculturist added that the DAE is helping the growers by supplying them resources, including quality seeds and fertilisers, in order to boost Aman paddy yield.
Our correspondent from Gaibandha reports, the production target for Aman paddy in Gaibandha has been set at 428, 662 metric tonnes in the current season.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Gaibandha, 133,125 hectares of land was brought under Aman cultivation to achieve this production target.
Of that, 18,942 hectares are in Gaibandha Sadar Upazila, 16,330 hectares in Sadullapur Upazila, 13,810 hectares in Palashbari Upazila, 31,800 hectares in Gobindaganj Upazila, 30,088 hectares in Sundarganj Upazila, 14,327 hectares in Saghata Upazila, and 7,828 hectares in Phulchhari Upazila.
?Farmers in seven upazilas of the district have completed tending to their Aman rice crops, while harvesting has already started for some advanced varities of paddy.
Gaibandha DAE has organised training for farmers on paddy cultivation, crop management, specific use of fertilisers, high-quality seed storage and modern technology.
However, farmers claim there has been extensive damage to paddy due to attacks of rats and insects.
Atiqul Islam, deputy director of DAE, Gaibandha, told the FE that the production target for Aman rice in Gaibandha has been set at 428,662 metric tonnes. To achieve this production target, 133,125 hectares of land have been brought under cultivation.
Our correspondent from Gopalganj reports, farmers of Sadar and Kashiani upazilas began harvesting their transplanted Aman (T-Aman) paddy with the hope of achieving a bumper production this year.
According to sources of the agriculture offices in the two upazilas, a total of 7,764 hectares were brought under T-Aman cultivation this year; 3,896 hectares in Sadar and 3,868 in Kashiani.
About 38,000 farmers are involved in the Aman paddy farming in these two upazilas, targeting a total production of 42,700 tonnes, the sources also said.
Moreover, sources further said a total 12,308 hectares were brought under Aman paddy cultivation in the whole district and the production target is 65,500 tonnes.
Lipu Sarder, 32, a T-Aman farmer of Ghaga-Dhalytala village under Gopalganj Sadar's Jalalabad Union, said he cultivated the BRRI Dhan 87 variety of T-Aman paddy on one hectare (247 decimal) this year.
Stating that the harvesting of his crop has been ongoing, he said, "I think I will get 160 maunds of paddy from my field, which has a market price of Tk 160,000. And the (selling) price of straw is Tk 20,000." Lipu said he had spent Tk 75,000 for his cultivation.
Bhaskar Barai, sub-assistant agriculture officer (SAAO), Jalalabad union, said a total of 752 hectares have been brought under T-Aman paddy cultivation in which 2,500 growers are involved. He also said that 20 per cent of the crop has already been harvested.
SAAO Bhaskar said T-Aman farming is a profitable crop for the farmers of this region due to less investment and shorter ripening time required.
Hamidul Islam, 31, another farmer of Tilchara village under Kashiani Upazila's Orakandia Union, said he cultivated Aman crop, the BRRI-Dhan 75 variety, on three bighas (150 decimal) this year and so far the condition of the crop is satisfactory.
Farmer Hamidul said if the weather condition remains favourable, he will get 92 maunds of paddy, for which he would get a price of Tk 112,000 in total. He added that he will earn a net profit of Tk 52,000 after having to spend Tk 60,000.
Sajedul Islam, SAAO of Orakandia Union in Kashiani, said a total of 232 hectares were brought under T-Aman farming in the union. He also said that the overall condition of the crop is good and growers will get more profit from the T-Aman produce this year.
Kazi Ajajul Karim, upazila agriculture officer in Gopalganj's Kashiani, told the FE that farmers of the region are happier due to a boost in Aman paddy production this year. "We are continuing to monitor the crop in a timely manner," the UAO said, adding that they have been advising the farmers so they become successful.
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