Partial view of a black rice paddy field at Shamshernagar village in Komolganj upazila of Moulvibazar district — FE Photo SYLHET, Nov 09: Mohan Robidas, a farmer in Komolganj upazila of Moulvibazar district, has achieved a success unparalleled in his neighbourhood by producing high-priced paddy varieties.
Robidas boasts the unique returns that came from his producing 11 different varieties of high-value paddy- including black rice, purple rice, aromatic Basmoti rice, aromatic kosturi rice, Tulsimala and Bridhan-103.
He got higher profits from their yields compared to other local hybrid varieties, agriculture officials said.
Following Robidas' footprint, other farmers in his close proximity are also getting inclined towards cultivating the same varieties of paddy and getting returns much to their satisfaction.
Son of a tea garden labourer, Robidas cultivated the said high-value paddy varieties on about 300 decimals of land close to the Golf field in Shamshernagar union of Komolganj upazila. He took some advices from the agriculture officials concerned.
Contacted, Komolganj Upazila agriculture officer Joyonto Kumar Roy told this correspondent, "Mohan Robidas ventured into cultivating the paddy varieties at a place adjacent to tea plantations. Although there was no irrigation facility available at hand, he managed to water the fields somehow."
"He has started getting good results, but the man needs better management plus irrigation for the high-value rice. Robidas would then achieve more," the officer said, adding, "We are ready to help him."
"Robidas has been completely successful in his venture. If more farmers come up with such ventures, it would help expand production of the valued crops," the officer added.
A number of local farmers said that they did not have any experience of cultivating black rice, purple rice, aromatic Basmoti etc. But since Robidas has introduced those in the area, they would try to collect quality seeds from him.
They would do that after the harvest completes in a few days. They expect to get a higher yield at relatively lower cost as fertilisers and pesticides are to be used in less quantity in farming of the said paddy varieties.
Tomlik Robidass, a resident of Shamshernagar village, said Bridhan-103 is a new and hybrid paddy variety, which is of fine quality and tall in size. Its yield is good too, with high demand in the open market and he is preparing to cultivate the variety.
Talking to this correspondent, Mohan Robidas said that he had collected seeds of the high-value paddy varieties from various places and neighbouring country India.
"As the basmati (Punjabi) harvest was completed yesterday, the yield was seen good with 11 maunds from 24 decimal land plot," he said, adding, "No fertiliser or pesticide was needed at all."
Same way harvest has been 15 maunds from Bridhan 103 on 32 decimals of land. The Pakistani variety gave 17 maunds of yield from 22 decimals of land.
"I will provide seeds at fair price to fellow farmers in my area. It will make a good impact," he said, adding, "I have bought a small irrigation tool for watering fields from a nearby canal in the coming season."
Robidas was preparing to initiate winter vegetable farming on the same land as paddy harvest will complete within a few days.
"I need assistance and advice from the Department of Agricultural Extension officials, who joined the crop harvesting on Friday," he said.
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