Boro cultivation exceeds target in N-region

RANGPUR, Mar 13 (BSS): The farmers have exceeded the fixed cultivation target of Boro in Rangpur agriculture region this season following various effective and pro-farmer steps of the government.

With the increased farming acreage, officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) here are optimistic about bumper production of Boro rice that meets half of the demand for staple food-grain in the northern region.

"The excellent growing Boro rice plants have given eye-catching looks to the crop fields under favourable climatic conditions now predicting bumper production of the crop," said Deputy Director of the DAE at its regional office here Md Moniruzzaman.

"The farmers have finally planted Boro rice seedling in 0.50 million hectares of land, 8,686 hectares or 1.74 per cent higher than the fixed target of bringing over 0.49 million hectares of land under Boro farming, this season in all five districts under the region," he added.

The agri-scientists and experts are providing assistance and practical knowledge, latest technologies and advice to the farmers for making the Boro rice farming programme successful and achieving the production target.

Horticulture Specialist of the DAE Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said the government has fixed a target of producing over 2.0 million tonnes of clean Boro rice from 0.49 million hectares of land this season for the region.

"Under the programme, 0.66 million tonnes hybrid Boro rice will be produced from 0.14 million hectares of land, 1.39 million tonnes high yielding variety Boro rice from 0.35 million hectares and 3,590 tonnes local variety Boro rice from 1,850 hectares of land," he said.