FARIDPUR, Feb 6 (BSS): A comprehensive programme to produce Boro paddy, the major food crop of the district has been taken up by the District Agricultural Extension Department (DAE) in the current season.
The transplantation of the Boro seedlings is nearing completion. The target in this season in the district has been fixed at 28,228 hectares of which 20,025 hectares have already been achieved.
According to the DAE sources, different varieties of Boro seedlings have been transplanted in the district which included BRRI 28, BRRI 29, BRRI 50 and zinc enriched BRRI 64 being the major varieties. It is expected that a harvest of 1, 29,848 tonnes of clean rice will be available in this season at the rate of 4.7 tonnes per hectare.
According to the sources, in Sadar upazilla 2,680 hectares of land have been brought under Boro cultivation to produce 12,380 tonnes, in Charbhadrasan upazilla 661 hectares to produce 3,040.6 tonnes, in Nagarkanda upazilla 1,849 hectares of land to produce 8,505.4 tonnes of clean rice in Saltha upazilla 1,244 hectares to produce 5,722.4 tonnes of clean rice.
In Sadarpur upazilla 1,346 hectares of land have been brought under cultivation to produce 6,191.6 tonnes, in Bhanga upazilla 3,810 hectares to produce 17,526 tonnes, in Madhukhali upazilla 1,830 hectares to produce 8,418 tonnes, in Boalmari upazilla 4,057 hectares to produce 18,662.2 tonnes while in Alfadangaq upazilla 2,528 hectares of land to produce 11,628.8 tonnes of paddy.
The varieties Boro seedlings contain Hi-breed and different kinds of HYV. However, the sources added that favorable climatic condition, availability of agricultural inputs and satisfactory electric supply for irrigation will be needed to achieve the target.
It may be mentioned here that this district which was once deficit in food but during last years it has achieved self sufficient in food due to delirious labours of the farmers as well as the cooperation of the concerned government agriculture agencies and also some NGOs.
