Aman plantation intensifies in flood-hit districts
Saturday, 8 September 2007
Jasim Uddin Haroon
The cultivation of 'ropa' (transplanted) Aman, popularly known as T- aman, has intensified since last week following full recession of flood waters from the affected districts across the country, according to the Department of Extension (DAE).
The plantation period of the B-Aman usually commences June 15 and ends August 15.
Around 38 districts were severely affected by the floods in July and August and crops, including vegetables, valued at about Tk 22 billion damaged.
Sources said plantation of T-Aman has been completed in the 90 per cent areas of the flood-affected districts of Chuadanga, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Natore, Bogra, Jaipurhat, Pabna and Gaibandha.
DAE sources hinted that farmers are speeding up their efforts to plant the late variety of T-Aman rice in the remaining cultivable land within September 15 next.
"Aman paddy is highly sensitive to sunlight. If the saplings get enough sunlight and are planted in proper time, then the harvest will be better," said another senior DAE official Thursday.
The total target area for the transplanted Aman for this season has been set at 5.3 million hectares across the country.
Of them, some 3.8 million hectares has been earmarked for the high yield variety (HYV) while 1.3 million hectares for the local varieties of T-Aman.
The HYV varieties, which are being cultivated this season include Kiran (BR 22) and Dishari (BR 23).
Local varieties are mainly Nazir Shail and Lata Shail.
The production target for the local variety of T-Aman has been set at around 2.0 million tonnes and 9.5 million tonnes for the HYV.
DAE sources said farmers had adequate seedlings for the plantation and in many cases they are being arranged locally.
Besides, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) has also been providing seedlings to farmers.
However, a number of flood affected districts are still behind target in cultivating T-Aman this season, DAE sources said.
DAE sources are expecting that the districts will be able to increase the plantation area as adequate preparation has been taken by the DAE and the BADC to provide saplings and other agricultural inputs.
The flood affected districts which accounted for cultivation in less areas include Madaripur at 28 per cent, Gopalganj at 35 per cent, Faridpur at 58 per cent, Shariatpur at 22 per cent, Dhaka at 41 per cent and Sirajganj at 40 per cent.
The cultivation of 'ropa' (transplanted) Aman, popularly known as T- aman, has intensified since last week following full recession of flood waters from the affected districts across the country, according to the Department of Extension (DAE).
The plantation period of the B-Aman usually commences June 15 and ends August 15.
Around 38 districts were severely affected by the floods in July and August and crops, including vegetables, valued at about Tk 22 billion damaged.
Sources said plantation of T-Aman has been completed in the 90 per cent areas of the flood-affected districts of Chuadanga, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Natore, Bogra, Jaipurhat, Pabna and Gaibandha.
DAE sources hinted that farmers are speeding up their efforts to plant the late variety of T-Aman rice in the remaining cultivable land within September 15 next.
"Aman paddy is highly sensitive to sunlight. If the saplings get enough sunlight and are planted in proper time, then the harvest will be better," said another senior DAE official Thursday.
The total target area for the transplanted Aman for this season has been set at 5.3 million hectares across the country.
Of them, some 3.8 million hectares has been earmarked for the high yield variety (HYV) while 1.3 million hectares for the local varieties of T-Aman.
The HYV varieties, which are being cultivated this season include Kiran (BR 22) and Dishari (BR 23).
Local varieties are mainly Nazir Shail and Lata Shail.
The production target for the local variety of T-Aman has been set at around 2.0 million tonnes and 9.5 million tonnes for the HYV.
DAE sources said farmers had adequate seedlings for the plantation and in many cases they are being arranged locally.
Besides, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) has also been providing seedlings to farmers.
However, a number of flood affected districts are still behind target in cultivating T-Aman this season, DAE sources said.
DAE sources are expecting that the districts will be able to increase the plantation area as adequate preparation has been taken by the DAE and the BADC to provide saplings and other agricultural inputs.
The flood affected districts which accounted for cultivation in less areas include Madaripur at 28 per cent, Gopalganj at 35 per cent, Faridpur at 58 per cent, Shariatpur at 22 per cent, Dhaka at 41 per cent and Sirajganj at 40 per cent.