A bumper maize yield on way in Rangpur
Our Correspondent | Thursday, 17 April 2014
RANGPUR, Apr 16: The farmers of Rangpur division are expecting a bumper yield of maize during the current season due to conducive climatic condition and timely supply of necessary agri-inputs.
Disappointed over the repeated price fall of paddy during last few years many farmers of the region have turned to maize cultivation this season instead of Boro cultivation, sources said.
Satisfactory price and huge demand for maize in the country as well as abroad are also encouraging the farmers of the region to grow it on a large scale in their fields.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Rangpur sources, maize has been cultivated on about 1,39,300 hectares of land in 8 districts under Rangpur division this year and the farmers are optimistic of achieving a bumper production of the crop.
DAE sources said, the farmers of the region have cultivated NK-40, PACIFIC-984, BRAC-60, BRAC-984, POLLEN etc varieties abundantly.
They said like in the mainland, the landless and river eroded char people have also brought more char lands under maize farming this year. It is learnt that maize corn is mainly used for poultry, fish and cattle feed. Therefore, its demand is rising gradually.
Nazrul Miah (52), a farmer of Char Nazirdaho village under Kawnia upazila in Rangpur district told The Financial Express, "This year I have cultivated the crop on two bighas of land spending Tk 9,000 and am hopeful of earning at least Tk 50,000 to Tk 60,000 as profit from the produce", he also said.
Shahin (43), a maize grower of Balua Mashimpur area under Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur said that he cultivated maize on 3 bighas of land this year and he is expecting a bumper yield of the crop.
Deputy Director of DAE Rangpur, Feroz Ahmed said adequate water supply, agri-inputs and congenial weather condition enhanced maize cultivation in the region this year which made the farmers hopeful of attaining a bumper output of the crop during the current season. Encouraged by good profit farmers of the region are getting more interested in maize cultivation than the cultivation of the paddy in recent years, he added.