Bumper maize production makes farmers happy in Bhola

BHOLA, May 15 (BSS): Bumper maize production has brought smile on the face of farmers of all the six upazilas in the district as they got fair price for the crop during the current season.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources said, a total of 383 hectares of land were brought under maize cultivation in six upazilas of the district this year with the production target of 22,824 tonnes of maize.
Of the total land, 145 hectares were brought under the cultivation in Sadar upazila, 55 hectares in Burhanuddin upazila, 25 hectares in Doulatkhan upazila, 60 hectares in Tazumuddin upazila, 15 hectares in Lalmohan upazila and 83 hectares in Char Fession upazila.
DAE source said maize cultivation gained popularity here due to its easy cultivation process and chief labour cost.
A farmer can produce 20 to 25 mounds of maize on one bigha of land by spending of Taka about 3,000 and can earn from the land Taka 7,000, the agriculture office sources said.
Farmers Anisur Rahman and Abdul Kalam of village Baro Chorsamaia under Sadar upazila said "We are very happy with this year's yield of maize and farming of the seasonal maize has changed our life.
Some growers said, many farmers in different villages of the district are now getting interested to yield maize on commercial basis instead of cultivating wheat, paddy or other crops, they added.
According to the market sources, the present price of maize is excellent and varies between Taka 500 and Taka 550 per maund (every 40 kg) making the farmers happier this region.
Deputy Director of DAE Shanti Rangan Mandol said around 2,681 farmers in 200 villages under six upazilas have cultivated maize in their land and farmers will achieve bumper output of maize this year and expect fair prices of the crop.