Boro production overruns target in Rangpur
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Our Correspondent
RANGPUR, May 25: Harvesting of Boro paddy has begun in eight districts of Rangpur division amid acute labour crisis. The farmers of the region are eying a good profit this season, as conducive climatic condition and proper use of fertilisers helped the paddy grow well. Additional director of DAE Mohsin Ali said, the production target might exceed this year on account of congenial climatic condition, easy availability of agri inputs like quality seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. According to the sources of DAE, a total of 8,13,910 hectares of lands were brought under Boro cultivation this year in 8 districts of Rangpur division with a production target of 33,85,865 metric tonnes. The districtwise break up of cultivation target is as follows: 1,44,070 hectares in Rangpur, 1,22,323 in Gaibandha, 1,13,277 in Kurigram, 82,878 in Nilphamari, 57,0,99 hectares in Lalmonirhat, 1,81,545 hectares in Dinajpur, 65,183 hectares in Thakurgaon and 47,535 hectares in Panchagarh. While visiting different villages this FE correspondent found that the farmers were busy in harvesting BR-28, Minicate, Hira and others quality of Boro paddy in a festive mood with much enthusiasm. Azizur Rahman (55), a farmer of Chikli village at Taragonj Upazila in Rangpur district told the FE that he has cultivated Boro paddy in two bighas of land and he is expecting a bumper production this year. Farmers said they are getting at least 40 maunds per bigha of land. But they are worried about the price of the paddy as they might not get fair price of their crop this year. They are apprehending to incur drastic losses as the government is yet to take any decision on paddy procurement and set its price, they added. Despite a bumper production of Boro paddy shortage of farm-labourers is seriously affecting harvest of paddy in some districts of the region including Rangpur and Dinajpur districts. Concerned sources said about 25 to 30 labourers are needed for reaping paddy from one hectare of land. Shaharul Huda (38) a paddy cultivator at Vendabari village under Mithapukur Upazila in Rangpur district said that most of the farmers of the region would not be able to harvest their paddy timely as an acute scarcity of labourers is prevailing in the region.
RANGPUR, May 25: Harvesting of Boro paddy has begun in eight districts of Rangpur division amid acute labour crisis. The farmers of the region are eying a good profit this season, as conducive climatic condition and proper use of fertilisers helped the paddy grow well. Additional director of DAE Mohsin Ali said, the production target might exceed this year on account of congenial climatic condition, easy availability of agri inputs like quality seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. According to the sources of DAE, a total of 8,13,910 hectares of lands were brought under Boro cultivation this year in 8 districts of Rangpur division with a production target of 33,85,865 metric tonnes. The districtwise break up of cultivation target is as follows: 1,44,070 hectares in Rangpur, 1,22,323 in Gaibandha, 1,13,277 in Kurigram, 82,878 in Nilphamari, 57,0,99 hectares in Lalmonirhat, 1,81,545 hectares in Dinajpur, 65,183 hectares in Thakurgaon and 47,535 hectares in Panchagarh. While visiting different villages this FE correspondent found that the farmers were busy in harvesting BR-28, Minicate, Hira and others quality of Boro paddy in a festive mood with much enthusiasm. Azizur Rahman (55), a farmer of Chikli village at Taragonj Upazila in Rangpur district told the FE that he has cultivated Boro paddy in two bighas of land and he is expecting a bumper production this year. Farmers said they are getting at least 40 maunds per bigha of land. But they are worried about the price of the paddy as they might not get fair price of their crop this year. They are apprehending to incur drastic losses as the government is yet to take any decision on paddy procurement and set its price, they added. Despite a bumper production of Boro paddy shortage of farm-labourers is seriously affecting harvest of paddy in some districts of the region including Rangpur and Dinajpur districts. Concerned sources said about 25 to 30 labourers are needed for reaping paddy from one hectare of land. Shaharul Huda (38) a paddy cultivator at Vendabari village under Mithapukur Upazila in Rangpur district said that most of the farmers of the region would not be able to harvest their paddy timely as an acute scarcity of labourers is prevailing in the region.