Barshali Dhan farming gains popularity

GAIBANDHA, July 27: Farming of T-Aus variety locally known as Barshali Dhan, has gained much popularity among the farmers here in recent years for getting desired output against the crop through utilizing fallow land in rainy season.
According to sources the farming of Barshali Dhan was launched at Dharmapur block of Sundarganj upazila in the district in 2009 through motivating the farmers by the field level officials of a reputed NGO RDRS Bangladesh in association with Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).
Since then, the farming of Barshali Dhan has been increasing considerably in the district and this year a total of 1050 hectares of land have been brought under the farming of Parija, BR 3, BR 14 and BRRI Dhan 28 varieties amid much enthusiasm to the farmers, DAE office sources said.
Of them, the variety was farmed on 60 hectares of land at the direct supervision of RDRS Bangladesh under its core programme and Krishi Gobeshana Foundation, said Porsia Rahman, programme manager of RDRS Bangladesh.
The rest 990 hectares of land were brought under the farming of the varieties at the own initiative of the farmers of the district, she said adding that earlier, the farmers were provided training and technological support by the NGO and DAE officials to cultivate the varieties successfully.
If the 20-22 days old seedlings of Barshali Dhan were transplanted on the land just after harvesting the Boro paddy in the month of Baishakh, the farmers could harvest it in 90 days at the end of Srabon and at the first week of Bhadro, he also said.
In reply to a query, the agri expert said, "Actually there is no variety in the name of Barshali Dhan. As the varieties are cultivated in the rainy season; they are called Barshali Dhan locally".
Agri coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid said the objectives of the T-Aus variety farming is to help the farmers get additional crop during the middle period of Boro and T-Aman season to earn economical benefit and achieve the country's food security.
Deputy Director of DAE AKM Ruhul Amin said through the farming of T-Aus variety the farmers were getting three crops in a year systematically by which they were enabling to change their socio-economic condition side by side with helping the government in achieving food security.
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