Gaibandha farmers fear low Aman yield

OUR CORRESPONDENTS
The farmers of Gaibandha district fear a loss in Aman cultivation this season as cyclone 'Dana' has impacted the paddy farming just before its harvest.
On other hand, bumper Aman production and fair price have brought smile on the faces of its growers in Magura.
Our Gaibandha correspondent reports that under the influence of cyclone 'Dana', gusty wind blew amid drizzling, falling Aman plants on the ground. Now, farmers fear loss.
Unripe Aman paddy plants on many fields were seen lying on the ground in different areas of Gaibandha district.
Farmers are worried about the damage to Aman paddy cropping up in these areas just before harvest.
Farmers told the Financial Express that most people of Gaibandha depend on agriculture for livelihood.
In the current Aman season, Aman paddy has been cultivated on about 133,000 hectares of land in seven upazilas of the district after overcoming various difficulties, including drought and flood.
Most farmers planted these paddy seedlings through irrigation at a higher cost. Advance paddy harvest has started in some places.
Farmer Abdur Rahman of Taluk Jamira village of Palashbari Upazila of Gaibandha district told the FE, "This year I have cultivated Aman paddy on 10 bigha of land. Drizzle and strong winds have affected my paddy fields. I fear loss of its yield."
Deputy Director of Gaibandha District Agric-ulture Extension Depart-ment Md Khorshed Alam told the FE that farmers have been advised to tie the paddy of all the lands lying dormant due to adverse weather conditions.
Farmers have been advised to remove water from paddy fields, he said, adding that colleagues are working at the field level to prevent any damage to Aman paddy.
Our correspondent from Magura reports that fortune is smiling on Aman growers in the district as Aman paddy harvest has already started with a bumper yield.
Sources at the Dep-artment of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Magura said they brought 62,270 hectares of land under Aman cultivation in the district this season. A bumper production of 217,945 tonnes of rice is expected.
Nikunza Sarkar, a farmer of village Jagla under Magura Sadar upazila, said, "I have already harvested paddy on 02 bigha of my land. Due to favourable weather, I have achieved a bumper production."
Another farmer Mota-har Hossen of village Akshi under Magura Sadar upazila, said, "I brought my 3 bigha land into Aman cultivation this season. Due to adequate rainfall I have no irrigation cost and I have got a bumper production."
Now, Aman paddy is being sold at a higher price of Tk 1,200 to Tk 1.300 per maund. Low production cost, bumper yield and fair price have sent a wave of joy among Aman growers, he added.
When contacted, DAE Deputy Director Dr Md Yasin Ali said farmers of Magura district are now getting bumper yield and fair price of Aman paddy.
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