Farmers switch to cereals from paddy in Barind amid climate change impact
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
RAJSHAHI, Feb 3 (BSS): Farmers have started switching to cereals from paddy in the wake of adverse impact of climate change with new technology and seed in the vast Barind tract.
According to the agriculture officials and scientists, the farmers reduced the cultivation of irrigation-dependent crop especially irri- boro paddy in the Barind tract, commonly known as food storage of the country. As a result, the acreage of various crops and cereals like wheat, maize, chickpea and black gram is increasing gradually.
Agriculturist Abu Muhammmad Musa says around 3,500 liters of water is needed to produce one kilogramme of paddy as irrigation. Whereas, less than 1000 liters of water is required for the drought- tolerant varieties.
He suggested development and dissemination of appropriate farm machinery like power tiller operated seeder, strip till and zero till, bed planter, reaper and thresher to enhance the farm production especially wheat.
He views the continuous paddy farming in the barind tract will face a acute crisis. So, more importance should be given on the crops which need less-irrigation.
Dr Israil Hossain, Principal Scientific Officer of Regional Wheat Research Station, told BSS that irrigation has been reduced to a greater extent in the barind area that declines farming of transplanted aman. Irri-boro farming is totally irrigation dependent.
To address the problem, the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has taken initiative to bring two drought- tolerant paddy varieties. He says, preparation to bring BRRIDHAN- 56 and BRRIDHAN-57 is underway.
Saleh Ahmed, Paba Upazila Agriculture Officer, says life span of BRRIDHAN-57, a short duration and drought tolerant variety, is 10 days less than that of BINADHAN-7, an early and high yielding variety, while 15 days less than BRIDHAN-33.
After a long journey of research, the regional station of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has developed the two drought tolerant rice varieties for the farmers of the region\\'s drought- prone area for the first time in the county.
This variety will give satisfactory yield with scanty rainfall without any irrigation during the rain-fed transplanted Aman season in the drought-prone area.