Boro production target achieved

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FE Report
The country achieved its Boro production target this season despite losses caused by growth of cheeta (grainless paddy) in several districts.
Sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) told the FE that the Boro output across the country was recorded at 16.10 million tonnes against a target of 16 million tonnes. Some 4.4 million hectares of land were brought under Boro cultivation.
"This is based on the data sent by our field level officials across the country," said a senior official at the DAE Wednesday.
However, the DAE sources said 'cheeta' or grainless paddy was grown on around 45,000 hectares of land in 19 districts across the country.
Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria are among the 'cheeta' affected districts.
Sources said 204,000 tonnes of paddy has been affected due to the cheeta.
However, there was bumper Boro crop in many districts like Mymensingh, Netrokona and Jamalpur.
According to the DAE statistics, around 15 districts had bumper Boro crop in this season.
Earlier, the DAE and the Ministry of Agriculture feared that Boro output might fall short of target due to the Cheeta in a large number of districts.
They earlier hinted that Boro output might fall short of target by around 1.0 million tonnes following a sudden growth of cheeta in paddy in a number of districts.
Sources said Boro production in 2006-07 season would have been a bumper one if there was adequate supply of fertiliser, especially in the country's northern districts.