Record groundnut production in Rangpur region

RANGPUR, May 28 (BSS): The farmers have produced a record 10,336 tonnes of groundnut, almost double than the fixed production target of 5,512 tonnes, during the Rabi season which ended recently in Rangpur agriculture region.

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) officials here said the farmers cultivated groundnut on 5,298 hectares of land, higher by 1,853 hectares or 54 per cent than the fixed target of cultivation on 3,445 hectares of land this season.

“The farmers finally produced 10,336 tonnes of groundnut, higher by 4,824 tonnes or 87.50 per cent than the fixed production target of 5,512 tonnes this time”, Horticulture Specialist of the DAE at its regional office Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said.

The farmers achieved the bumper production of groundnut following expanded cultivation of its high yielding varieties evolved by Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) on more land amid favourable climate.

"The farmers also got an average yield rate of 1.95 tonnes of groundnut per hectare, higher by 0.35 tonnes than the targeted yield rate of 1.35 tonnes per hectare," Islam added.

Talking to the news agency, Deputy Director of the Rangpur DAE Md Moniruzzaman said the farmers are increasing groundnut cultivation on the main lands and vast sandy char areas every year after getting repeated bumper production with lucrative price.