Flood-tolerant paddy farming gains ground

RANGPUR, July 13 (BSS): The farmers of the district have already completed preparing seedbeds for expanded cultivation of flood-tolerant variety paddy during this Aman season after getting repeated bumper crops in the previous seasons.
Excellent yield of flood-tolerant paddy has made the farmers enthusiastic, as the plants survived submergence for over two weeks to resume normal growth after recession of floodwater.
According to the farmers, in the previous seasons growing plants of flood-tolerant BRRI dhan51, BRRI dhan52, BINA dhan11 and BINA dhan12 survived submergence for two weeks, or even more, during floods to ultimately give better yield.
Basing on their success, the framers have been showing growing interest in cultivating flood-tolerant paddy in the low-lying areas to enhance rice output.
Talking to the news agency, farmer Lal Mian of village Patrokhata in Kurigram said his growing plants of BINA dhan11 successfully sustained 24-day submergence at a stretch last season to resume normal growth after recession of floodwater.
Farmers Beauty Begum of village Kanipara and Profulla Roy of village Purbo Echlee in Rangpur said they cultivated flood-tolerant BINA dhan12 and BRRI dhan52 on their lands respectively last season.