Farmers begin T-Aman cultivation in Gopalganj

GOPALGANJ, July 28: Farmers have begun Transplanted Aman (T-Aman) paddy cultivation in full swing on the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) targeted 12,308 hectares in Gopalganj and this year's production target is at 57, 232 tonnes, according to sources at the DAE, Gopalganj.
Layeb Sikder (52), a T-Aman farmer of Kutibari village under Shuktail Union of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila, said, he cultivated T-Aman (BRRI Dhan 103) on 260 decimals this year and the growth situation has been satisfactory. "If the climate remains favourable, I will get a good profit from the produce-within only 127 to 135 days," he added. Farmers said they get one third of the cost as net profit from T-Aman cultivation and in some cases it is 40 per cent or 60 per cent of the cost.
According to Md Mahabub Matubbar, sub-assistant agriculture officer (SAAO) of Suktail Union in Gopalganj Sadar, about 756.36 bighas were brought under T-Aman cultivation this year in the union, where about 1,000 farmers are involved in the farming.
Mafroza Akter, upazila agriculture officer (UAO), Gopalganj Sadar, said a total of 3,896 hectares have been brought under T-Aman cultivation in Gopalganj Sadar Upazila this year. Some 20,000 farmers are involved in the cultivation in the upazila, where the probable production target is at 18,116 tonnes. According to her, T-Aman cultivation needs a small investment but the returns are good.
Dr. Md. Mamunur Rahman, deputy director (DD), DAE, Khamarbari, Gopalganj, said they have been supplying fertilisers, pesticides and other necessary inputs to the farmers for T-Aman cultivation.
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) distributed high quality of seeds among the farmers and they will achieve the production target if the climate remains favourable, the DD said.
DAE sources said Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) and other commercial banks are distributing short-term loans to farmers to achieve this year's T-Aman cultivation target.

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