Cultivation of new aman variety may solve ‘Monga’

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RANGPUR, June 10 (UNB): Speakers at a training programme Saturday stressed the need for cultivating new hybrid variety of aman paddy, developed by local scientists, to face 'Monga' in the region.
The daylong training programme on 'Advance aman production, crops diversification, creating employment opportunity and increasing food security' held at BRRI regional office here.
Chaired by Chief Scientific Officer of BRRI, Rangpur region, Deputy Commi-ssioner of Rangpur Khandakar Atiyar Rahman attended the training programme as the chief guest. DAE Deputy Director Kamal Shariful Alam and BRDB Director Abul Fazal were also present as special guests.
They observed that the new variety of aman, BRRI-33, could be harvested in between Bangla months of Ashwin and Kartik when the traditional aman are in the budding stage.
They said that the farmers could solve the 'Monga,' a famine like situation, by cultivating the new variety aman paddy during the period.
"It will also create employment opportunities for around four lakh farm workers who remain unemployed during the Ashwin and Kartik 'Monga' season in five districts of greater Rangpur", they added.
After harvesting the BRRI-33, the farmers will get enough time to cultivate pre-winter vegetables like potato, Robi crops, mug pulses and maize during the 'Monga' season, the speakers said.
The northwest Focal Area Forum (FAF), comprising 12 government and non-government organisations, has been implementing the training programmes to motivate the farmers to cultivate BRRI-33 in the region.
A total of 70 participants, including agriculture officers of Kaunia, Gangachhara, Pirgachha and Sadar upazilas of Rangpur district; Dimla and Sadar upazilas of Nilphamari district; farmers' representatives, NGO activists, teachers, govt. officials and journalists took part in the programme.