SYLHET, Feb 27: Almost all the farmers in the four districts of Sylhet division have completed transplantation of Boro seedlings in the fields.
Sources said, a total of 474,142 hectares of land have so far been brought under the cultivation of the paddy in the division. However, things would continue another week as some areas suffered from water logging.
DAE Sylhet divisional deputy director Mazumder Md Ilias said weather behaviour is normal till date and the farmers are passing busy time in their fields. Seedlings transplantation would be there in some areas of Moulvibazar and Habiganj for a week while it is complete in Sunamganj and Sylhet districts.
Boro farming has been increased this season in the four districts, the official informed, adding seedbeds were done on a total of 25,392 hectares against the target of 22,940 hectares.
The cultivated area includes 80,565 hectares in Sylhet, 53,477 hectares in Moulvibazar, 120,800 hectares in Habiganj and 219,300 hectares in Sunamganj district, the official added.
It may be mentioned that the DAE had earlier set the farming target on 473,000 hectares in the region, including 80,050 hectares in Sylhet, 53,500 hectares in Moulvibazar, 120,000 hectares in Habiganj and highest 219,450 hectares in the district of Sunamganj.
Of the total, 269,289 hectares of land in the haor region have already been cultivated against the targeted 262,645 hectares while in the non-haor areas 204,853 hectares have been cultivated against the target of 210,355 hectares, the official added. There is no scope of increase cultivable area in haor region now.
Some farmers said cold wave for days weeks ago had delayed the Boro cultivation as a whole.
However, many of the common farmers are frustrated over the retail market price of paddy. Even then they are cultivating the crop as there is alternative.
"Although the price was frustrating, we have no other way", said Anwar Hossain of Beanibazar.
Meanwhile, our correspondent from Magura writes: Boro paddy cultivation is going on at a snail's pace in the district.
Farmers are showing little interest in Boro cultivation for low price of paddy.
DAE source said over 26,680 hectares of land have so far been brought under Boro cultivation in the district this season, while the target is 40,200 hectares.
Paddy grower Mirazul Islam of Dhalhara village under Magura Sadar said, "I cultivated Boro on two bighas of land last year. I had to sold my paddy at Tk 600 per maund. Such rate does not cover the production cost. So I have decided not to cultivate Boro this season."
Another farmer Bikash Baser of Dariapur village under Sreepur upazila said Boro paddy consumes much water. It is irrigated by lifting underground water. For this cultivation of Boro paddy is expensive than Aman.
"I had incurred loss from Boro cultivation last year for low price. For this, I am not growing Boro this season", he added.
Magura DAE official Shohrab Hossen admitted that Boro paddy cultivation target has not been achieved yet.
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