Extensive winter vegetable farming geared up in Rangpur

Our Correspondent RANGPUR, Oct 30: The farmers of eight districts under Rangpur division have geared up winter vegetables farming across the region during the current season. According to the sources of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Rangpur, a total 35,215 hectares of land have been brought under winter vegetables cultivation during the current season in eight districts of Rangpur division. The production target is 13,10,000 metric tonnes. The BADC distributed a large quantity of high yielding variety (HYV) seeds of winter vegetables among the farmers through its sale centres. Different non-government organisations (NGOs) also distributed vegetables seeds. Meanwhile, a large number of farmers have started reaping benefits of early farming of winter vegetables by selling their produces at high prices, sources said. Kashem Ali (45), a farmer at Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur district told the FE that he brought 2 bighas of lands under early winter vegetable farming and so far gained significant profit. He expects more dividends by selling the produces during the remaining part of the season. The farmers of many other areas however alleged that a section of middlemen and traders cheat the farmers of fair prices every year due to lack of adequate marketing options. Free surgery camp begins Another BSS report adds: A six-day free surgery camp for the poor lip, cleft and soft palate cleft and general patients began at Rangpur Community Medical College Hospital (RCMCH) in the Rangpur city from Saturday. Twenty specialist physicians from the USA have been conducting operations in the camp being organised jointly by RCMCH, Rangpur Dental College (RDC), Rangpur Community Nursing Institute and Dr Mofiz Uddin Foundation. Principal of Rangpur Medical College Prof Dr Abdur Rouf formally inaugurated the camp by cutting tape at a colourful ceremony at RCMCH premises with Managing Director of RCMCH and RDC Nazmul Ahsan in the chair. Principal of RDC Prof Dr Abdur Rashid, Principal of RCMCH Prof Dr Afroza Bulbul Akhter, Director (Hospital) Dr Abdul Baki Sarker, noted Surgeon Prof Dr Abu Taleb and Medicine Specialist Dr Rashidul Islam Siraj were present. Anesthesia Specialist Prof Dr Abdus Salam, Dr Jalal Uddin, ENT Specialist Dr Atikul Islam, Eye Specialist Dr Akhteruzzaman, Paediatric Specialist Dr Ranjit Kumar Basak and 20 specialist physicians from the USA attended the ceremony. A large number of students, teachers, journalists, professionals, lip, cleft and soft palate cleft and general patients and their parents were also present in the inaugural ceremony of the free surgery camp to be continued till November 3 next.