Bumper Aman production in Barguna in sight

BARGUNA, Oct 31 (UNB): Farmers in Barguna district are expecting a bumper production of Aman paddy this season. Sources at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said some 100,800 hectares of land have been brought under Aman cultivation in the current season in five upazilas of the south-western district. Farmers said they sowed Aman seeds at seedbeds and took care of those despite numerous encumbrances. The seedlings were transplanted in the paddy fields which have been growing day by day and getting greener. Peasant of Dalbhanga village in Sadar upazila Abdur Razzak said initially he was worried about Aman harvest in the current season because the cultivation cost shot up and unexpected rain early in the season. "We were in fear that the transplanted Aman seedlings will be either washed away or rotten by incessant rain." "But thanks to Almighty Allah, we have managed to overcome all the hiccups and seedlings have been growing well", he said adding that the whole paddy field has worn an olive green look. Most of the farmers alleged that prices of seeds, fertilizers and other inputs of Aman farming went up before the season set in. Farmer Anwar Akan of Betmore village in Amtoli upazila said: "I bought Aman seedlings and transplanted those in my small arable land. Initially I thought that these will not grow well this season as it rained into late autumn." He said: "Ashwin (the 6th month of Bengali calendar) has passed and the seedlings looked whitish. But with the blessings of Allah luck smiled on me, the saplings turned green, which indicates a good crop in the harvesting season," said the beaming farmer. Peasant Ranjit of Nijlathimara village in Patharghata upazila replied similarly when asked about the condition of his seedlings. He also said that he had been anticipating a bad harvest in the coming harvest season because of various problems. "But presently the seeds are growing and getting green", said Ranjit, oozing with confidence. Mohammad Lutfur Rahman, Barguna DAE officer said, favorable climatic condition, proper distribution of high quality seeds, timely supply of fertilizers and other agri inputs to the growers are the reasons behind the expectations of bumper production.