RAJSHAHI, May 9 (BSS): There isen an enormous prospect of farming mug dal developed by Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) in the vast Barind tract as its contribution to the field of high yielding characteristics alongside adaptability to the soil condition is highly significant.
By dint of enhancing acreage of mug dal, socioeconomic condition of the farmers has started improving coupled with rising soil health.
After harvesting different rabi crops like wheat, mustard, potato, onion and garlic, over one lakh hectares of high Barind land in 25 upazilas of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts remain fallow every year.
There is a massive scope of bringing the huge land under mug bean farming alongside increasing cropping intensity amid the current water-stress condition.
Krishi Gobeshana Foundation (KGF) has been working for promoting mug dal farming in the huge fallow lands before transplanted Aman cultivation starts. Many farmers have become successful after BARI Mug-6 cultivation in order to enhance cropping intensity in fallow lands of the vast high Barind tract.
Pulse farming of BARI Mug-6 and BINA Mug-8 is significant in the dried area. Besides, the varieties give more yield and harvesting process is suitable than any other varieties.
Dr Mukhlesur Rahman, Director (Training and Communication) of BARI) said BARI's On Farm Research Division (OFRD) and KGF are working here to bring cropping diversity, improving soil health and ultimately socioeconomic development of the farmers.
He referred to various salient features of Mug dal production. He said: "No additional cost for fertilizer, pesticide and irrigation is needed to cultivate this sort-term cash crop".
To make the cultivation popular and profitable at the growers' level, the OFRD will conduct various programmes including farmers' motivation and training, field demonstration and supplying necessary inputs like seed the years ahead.
He added that mug bean is a drought tolerant short duration crop which fitted in the drought-prone area's environment. So, the farmers are getting high yield and crop residue is added organic matter for soil health development, he pointed out.
