BSS, Gaibandha :
Harvest of transplanted (T) Aman paddy has been progressing fast at all the seven upazilas in the district for a couple of weeks.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) office sources said a total of 86,813 hectares of land have been brought under T-Aman paddy cultivation this year with the production target of 2,33,230 tonnes of rice.
The cultivation target was fully achieved after blissful rain though the transplantation of Aman seedlings was hampered at the initial and middle stages of the season due to drought-like situation.
Currently, the growers are harvesting the crop with great enthusiasm and getting bumper production of the paddy which they did not even expect.
To make the cultivation programme a success, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation timely distributed high quality Aman seed to the farmers of the district at fair prices.
Besides, different state-run commercial banks including Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank disbursed agri loans on easy terms to the marginal farmers of the district to help them cultivate the T-Aman paddy, the sources said.
M Hasen Ali, a farmer of Barobaldia under Malibari union of Sadar upazila, said farmers were much happy as they got desired output and fair prices.
District training officer of DAE Showkat Osman said favorable climatic condition, proper distribution of high-quality seed by Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and timely supply of fertilizers and other agri inputs to the growers are the reasons for getting desired production.
The DAE also provided training to the farmers for adopting modern technologies, crop management and preservation of quality seed, he added.
Talking to the BSS, director of DAE AKM Ruhul Amin said about 25 percent harvest of the paddy had already been completed till November 24 and the rest would be finished here by December 15.
