RANGPUR, Jan 01 (BSS): The farmers have produced 31,098 tonnes aromatic rice in the immediate past Transplanted Aman (T-Aman) season in all five districts under Rangpur agriculture region.
Officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said the farmers got bumper production of different varieties of aromatic rice at an average yield rate of 2.24 tonnes of clean rice per hectare this time.
Horticulture Specialist of the DAE Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said the farmers had brought 13,879 hectares of land under cultivation of aromatic rice this season and finally produced 31,098 tonnes of clean rice in the region.
"The farmers are enhancing cultivation of the high-priced aromatic rice every year to earn more profits after getting repeated bumper production with lucrative price in recent years," he said.
The farmers cultivated BRRI dhan34, BRRI dhan37, 'Begunbichi', 'Kalijira', 'Kataribhog', 'Rasulbhog', 'Badshabhog', 'Uknimadhu', 'Khirshabhog', 'Babuibhog', 'Chnisankar', 'Tilkapur', 'Binnaful', 'Chinigura', 'Basmoti', 'Zamaisohagi', 'Nonia' and 'Khanskani' varieties of aromatic rice this season.
Noted rice scientist and former Chief Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Dr M A Mazid predicted brighter prospect of expanded cultivation of aromatic rice to increase production in the medium low-lands of the northern region.
He laid importance on improving crushing and processing systems for aromatic rice to enable the farmers in earning more profits through expanded cultivation of aromatic rice varieties.
Deputy Director of the DAE at its regional office in Rangpur Md Moniruzzaman said the farmers of Rangpur region are producing aromatic 'Chinigura', 'Kalijira' and BRRI dhan34 varieties of rice of the international standard having huge demand abroad.
"We have brighter prospect for enhancing aromatic rice production through utilising the latest conservation agriculture technologies," he said adding that the 'Chinigura', 'Kalijira' and BRRI dhan34 rice varieties could be exported abroad after meeting local demand.
Regional Additional Director of the DAE Md Shah Alam said the farmers have achieved bumper production of aromatic rice this time and stressed on optimum use of compost fertilisers during cultivation of aromatic rice to boost production.
