RANGPUR, Apr 23 (BSS): The special government incentives, being provided directly to the farmers, have become effective in popularizing cultivation of short duration Aus rice in the northern regions, official sources said.
According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, production of Aus crop has been increasing every year in recent times which will help ensure food security in the country.
"Aus farming during the off-season between Boro harvest and Aman transplantation, when the cultivable land remains fallow, has become popular following huge incentives for the farmers," said Horticulture Specialist of DAE Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam.
He said sowing of Aus seeds is continuing in full swing while transplantation of Aus seedlings will begin very soon in the region.
According to DAE sources, to enhance Aus cultivation, Taka 62.6 million has been distributed as special incentives among the farmers of 11 northern districts.
Under the special incentive package, this season the government has been distributing high quality Aus seeds and fertilisers worth Taka 62.6 million among 50,740 beneficiary farmers in the region.
Of them, each of 48,765 beneficiary farmers is getting 5 kg Aus seeds, 20 kg urea, 10 kg Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), 10 kg Murrieta of Potash (MoP) fertilisers and Taka 300 for irrigation purpose to cultivate Aus in one bigha land.
Besides, each of another 1,975 beneficiary farmers is getting 10 kg Nerico Aus seeds, 20 kg urea, 10 kg DAP and 10 kg MoP fertilisers, Taka 300 for irrigation and Taka 300 for weed cleaning to cultivate Nerica Aus in one bigha land.
Meanwhile, the government has fixed a target of producing 0.66 million tonne clean Aus rice from 0.25 million hectares land in the region this time due to repeated bumper production in recent years.
