Paddy harvest going on in Sylhet, Gaibandha

SYLHET, May 08: Boro cultivators of Sylhet division are expecting to complete harvest in a week.

Sources said though shortage of labourers and incessant rainfall are disrupting harvest, growers are happy as they are getting a better yield.

Additional Director of DAE, Sylhet divisional office, Md Altabur Rahman on Tuesday said on average paddy of 72 per cent land in the division is already harvested.

In the pretext of last year's experience of colossal loss due to excess rains and early flood at the first week of April the farmers had to harvest the crop albeit early this time. However, in many areas this year they were compelled to start cultivation late for reasons, he said, adding, so the harvest would take another week.

For averting possible excess rains and early floods, the farmers were advised for cultivating short duration varieties like BRRI-28 and BRRI-29 on the vast haor region, the official said, they also showed much interest in it. Besides, the government supplied seeds of these varieties through BADC to farmers.

Although there had been some troubles like pest attack on pockets, there is a good harvest at the end of the season, officials and farmers said. A total of 481,500 hectares of land were brought under Boro cultivation in 4 districts of Sylhet this year.

The official further noted per hectare yield in the region had so far been estimated at 4.45 tonnes from hybrid, 3.5 tonnes from the high yielding varieties and 1.78 tonnes from local varieties.

Shamsuddin Ahmed of Dakshin Sunamganj said, "Although we had apprehended foul weather, which might affect the major crop, we are happy with a better and safe harvest at last."

Meanwhile, BSS adds: In Gaibandha, Boro harvest is progressing fast in all the seven upazilas in the district with much enthusiasm.

The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said farmers of the district cultivated Boro paddy on a total of 1,30,670 hectares of land this year with the production target of 5, 22,578 metric tonnes of rice.

Of the total, some 21,060 hectares of land were brought under the cultivation in Sadar upazila, 15780 hectares in Sadullapur upazila, 13,680 hectares in Palashbari upazila, 30,950 hectares in Gobindaganj upazila, 25,500 hectares in Sundarganj upazila, 15,000 hectares in Shaghata upazila and 8,700 hectares in Fulchhari upazila.

Favorable climatic condition, proper distribution of high quality seed of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and timely supply of electricity, fertilisers and other agri inputs to the growers are the main reasons behind the desired production, said the growers.

The commercial banks including Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank disbursed soft loan to the poor and the marginal farmers during the season.

Deputy director of DAE AKM Ruhul Amin said 38 per cent of Boro paddy had already been harvested and may be completed within the month.