KHULNA, Apr 03 (BSS): Harvesting of various crops cultivated on 48,302 hectares of lands are being completed with bumper production making the farmers happy in the Khulna agriculture region this season.
The crops were cultivated during the ongoing Robi season (2024-25 fiscal years) in the region that covers Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, and Narail districts.
Crops like watermelon, onion, garlic, chili, pulses, potatoes, pumpkin, mustard, and other vegetables, maize, wheat, gourd nuts, capsicum and many other crops were mostly cultivated on the lands in the region including saline resilient coastal areas.
Cultivation of various crops on the coastal belt lands is expanding every year, cutting poverty and improving the livelihood of thousands of people living in the coastal areas of Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat districts.
The Department of Agricultural Expansion (DAE) in the region, has set a target to cultivate 43,487 hectares of lands with a production target of 12, 55,437 tonnes of crops. The DAE has achieved a bumper production of 13, 02, 519 tonnes of crops from 48,302 hectares of land.
Officials of the DAE said harvesting of over 80 percent Robi crops have been completed before Eid-ul-Fitr while the remains will be harvested within two weeks next. "Farmers of Khulna agriculture region are completed the harvesting of their cultivated crops and they got a bumper output," said DAE Additional Director of Khulna region Md Rafiqul Islam.
"Suitable climate condition alongside integrated irrigation during the growing season gave farmers hope of getting their desired production," he said, adding that the remained crops harvesting will be completed by two weeks of this month.
Besides, Bangladesh Krishi Bank and other commercial banks have disbursed
crop loans to the farmers for boosting production.
"Around one lakh families have achieved self-reliance by farming crops on these lands and improved their livelihoods with the support of the DAE during the current Robi season in the region," he added.
According to the DAE sources, the government has distributed quality seeds and fertilisers among small and marginal farmers to inspire them in expanding the cultivation of Robi crops.
Talking to the news agency, farmers Farid Ali, Moniruzzaman Gazi, Mozammel Hawlader and Shaheed Mia of coastal belt of Koyra and Paikgachha upazilas of the district said they have changed their fortunes through cultivating various crops including watermelon on the saline resilient coastal lands during the Robi crops season.
Farmer Shahadat Gazi of Gangarampur union under Batiaghata upazila in Khulna said many farmers' sowed mustard seeds, watermelon after harvesting short-duration Aman rice on the same land to enhance crop intensity and get more profits.
