BSS, Rangpur :
The farmers have been showing keen interest in maize cultivation this season after getting repeated bumper production and excellent price of the crop in recent years in Rangpur agriculture region.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, farmers have so far brought over 80 percent of the targeted land under maize cultivation as sowing of seed still continues and the farming target might be exceeded during this season.
Horticulture Specialist of the DAE Khondker Md. Mesbahul Islam today told BSS that maize cultivation has become popular in the region contributing to poverty reduction and achieving self-reliance by the farmers and poorer section people in recent years.
Side by side with farmers in the land, the char people have been farming maize in more land this season as they earned huge profits to lead better life and change fortune in recent years through farming the cash crops in their sandy and barren char lands.
The government through the DAE has fixed a target of producing over 4.63 lakh tonne of maize from 64,762 hectares of land in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts under Rangpur agriculture region this season.
“Like in the previous years, the char and riverside people are expected to bring vast tracts of the char lands in the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dharla, Jamuna, Dudhkumar, Atrai, Kartoa, Ghaghot and other riverine areas under maize cultivation this season,” Mesbahul said.
Rangpur Regional Acting Additional Director of DAE SM Ashraf Ali said farming of maize has been increasing every year benefiting the farmers as well as poorer section people and bringing economic self-reliance to them through cutting poverty.
Predicting brighter prospect for increasing maize output this season, Adviser -Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia and Africa) Dr M A Mazid appreciated government initiatives for further boosting production of the cereal crop.
He put emphasis on enhancing cultivation of low-irrigation water consuming cereal crops like maize and wheat to reduce Boro farming in northern Bangladesh to ensure food security and improve environment under changed climate.
The farmers have been showing keen interest in maize cultivation this season after getting repeated bumper production and excellent price of the crop in recent years in Rangpur agriculture region.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, farmers have so far brought over 80 percent of the targeted land under maize cultivation as sowing of seed still continues and the farming target might be exceeded during this season.
Horticulture Specialist of the DAE Khondker Md. Mesbahul Islam today told BSS that maize cultivation has become popular in the region contributing to poverty reduction and achieving self-reliance by the farmers and poorer section people in recent years.
Side by side with farmers in the land, the char people have been farming maize in more land this season as they earned huge profits to lead better life and change fortune in recent years through farming the cash crops in their sandy and barren char lands.
The government through the DAE has fixed a target of producing over 4.63 lakh tonne of maize from 64,762 hectares of land in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts under Rangpur agriculture region this season.
“Like in the previous years, the char and riverside people are expected to bring vast tracts of the char lands in the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dharla, Jamuna, Dudhkumar, Atrai, Kartoa, Ghaghot and other riverine areas under maize cultivation this season,” Mesbahul said.
Rangpur Regional Acting Additional Director of DAE SM Ashraf Ali said farming of maize has been increasing every year benefiting the farmers as well as poorer section people and bringing economic self-reliance to them through cutting poverty.
Predicting brighter prospect for increasing maize output this season, Adviser -Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia and Africa) Dr M A Mazid appreciated government initiatives for further boosting production of the cereal crop.
He put emphasis on enhancing cultivation of low-irrigation water consuming cereal crops like maize and wheat to reduce Boro farming in northern Bangladesh to ensure food security and improve environment under changed climate.
