RANGPUR, Aug 29 (BSS): A record quantity of over 0.12 million tonnes of clean Aus rice, 78.85 per cent higher than the fixed production target, has been produced as harvest of the crop just ended in Rangpur agriculture region.
Officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said the record-breaking success was achieved in getting bumper production of Aus rice following effective steps taken by the government and favourable climatic conditions.
The farmers are very happy now getting fabulous Aus crop output and excellent market price between Tk 850 and Tk 950 per mound of the newly harvested Aus paddy in the region.
Horticulture Specialist of the DAE at its regional office Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said the DAE had fixed a target of bringing 26,159 heaters of land under Aus rice cultivation to produce 68,969 tonnes of clean Aus rice this season.
The enthusiastic farmers, however, cultivated Aus rice on 40,618 hectares of land exceeding the fixed farming target by 14,459 hectares or 55.27 per cent in all five districts under Rangpur agriculture region.
"After completing harvest yesterday, the farmers finally produced over 0.12 million tonnes of Aus crop in terms of clean rice, higher by 54,381 tonnes or 78.85 per cent than the fixed production target," Islam said.
The farmers have finally produced 34,570 tonnes of clean hybrid variety Aus rice from 9,544 hectares of land, 88,088 tonnes of clean high yielding variety Aus rice from 30,639 hectares and 697 tonnes of clean local variety Aus rice from 395 hectares of lands.
Talking to the news agency, Deputy Director of the DAE at its regional office Md Moniruzzaman narrated the reasons behind achieving bumper output of the off-season and short duration Aus rice as an additional cereal crop this season.
"Distribution of huge fertilisers, seed and money as incentives and motivational activities conducted by the DAE and other organisations inspired the farmers in expanding cultivation of less irrigation water consuming Aus rice," he said.
