Nilphamari Correspondent :
Marginal farmers are increasing their interest in cotton cultivation in Kishoreganj Upazila of Nilphamari district as it is profitable and yield is good. The increase in cotton cultivation has created employment opportunities for the unemployed and the poor. As a result, the Agriculture Department of Nilphamari considers cotton cultivation as a new possibility in this area.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the Extended Cotton Cultivation Project (Phase-I) 2nd Amendment is financed and the Cotton Development Board is working to improve the living standards of farmers by providing financial assistance including training at farmer level, supply of seeds and fertilizers of Hybrid (Rupali-1) varieties. Cotton is a natural fiber crop. This flat ground cotton is used for spinning industry. As well as animal feed from yarn-making ash and cotton seeds; oil cake, fat-free oil and fudge (bandage or past) are made. The use of trees as fuel and green leaves plays a vital role in soil fertility. Farmers Ismail and Fazlul Haque of Dolapara village in Sadar union of Kishoreganj upazila have started cultivating this valuable crop.
Cotton farmer Fazlul Haque said, “We started cotton cultivation in four bighas of land in 2016 with the revival of Rangpur-Taraganj cotton unit of Cotton Development Board.” I got involved in the cultivation of this crop as I made a good profit by selling cotton in that year. The cost per acre of cotton is ten to twelve thousand rupees for cultivation and labor. It is more profitable than other crops. There is no problem in selling. The Cotton Development Board buys cotton on its own initiative at a cash price. By cultivating it on 4/5 bighas of land for the last four years, prosperity has come to the world. This year too, I am dreaming of selling five bighas of cotton for two lakh rupees. Other farmers in the area have also become interested in cotton cultivation as there is a huge difference in the cost and profit of Cotton Development Board training, easy loan, supply of fertilizers and other crops.
Saiful Islam, Rangpur-Taraganj Cotton Unit Officer of the Cotton Development Board, said the farmer has been revolutionizing cotton production for the past few years. If cotton cultivation continues like this, Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari district will soon become a model upazila for cotton production in the country. In the coming days will play a helpful role in cotton production in the country. On the other hand, import dependence will be reduced and the country will save millions of rupees.
