SYLHET, Apr 08: Speakers at a workshop in Sunamganj laid emphasis on expanding Aus and maize cultivation in the four districts of Sylhet division to boost production.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Sanat Kumar Saha attended the event as the chief guest while Sunamganj DAE Deputy Director Bashir Ahmed Sarker presided.
The speakers discussed on steps to increase Aus and maize cultivation in Sunamganj district.
Director of the ongoing special project 'Raising crop intensity in Sylhet region' Md Wahiduzzaman gave the introductory address. In his speech he spoke in details about the project's aims, activities and achievements so far.
The chief guest said the government has taken a number of important steps for the overall development of agriculture sector during the last 10 years.
"More crops are now produced on the same fields. All these happened due to the agriculture-friendly policies of the present government", he added.
Prof Dr Abul Kashem of the Soil Science Department at Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) said the national crop intensity is 192 while it is 149 in Sylhet region.
He laid emphasis on proper use of fertiliser on the crop fields here.
He said Sunamganj district suffers shortage of water during the dry season but it experiences huge rain during the monsoon. He urged the farmers to expand the production of Aus paddy to ensure proper use of rainwater.
Bashir Ahmed said farmers in this district are showing more interest in Aus and maize farming as those require less irrigation. It saves their production cost.
On the other hand, the district's Boro production was good last year and target was exceeded this season too. The crop intensity in Sunamganj has gone up to 148 from 139 over the last three years, he added.
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