Maize cultivation target exceeds three times

NAOGAON, Mar 23: With the expectation of getting a bumper production as in previous years, farmers in Mohadevpur upazila of the district have cultivated maize in their lands this season exceeding the official target.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) took up a plan to farm maize on 60 hectares of lands in the upazila this year.

Around 220 hectares of land have been brought under cultivation of the high value crop which is over three times more than the target.

One Rafiqul Islam of Karnapur village under the upazila said the production cost for maize cultivation is much less than the costs for paddy, potato, jute and other crops as it needs less irrigation and fertiliser.

"I am expecting 26 to 28 maunds of maize from per bigha of land this year", he added.

Upazila agriculture officer Jahangir Alam Pramanik stated farmers in the upazila are showing more interest in maize cultivation as they are achieving high yield due to favourable weather, soil and training from the DAE.

Observing the enthusiasm of the farmers for maize farming in the current year, DAE is expecting an added maize production in the upazila in the upcoming years, Mr Pramanik added.

[email protected]