UNB, Netrakona :
The fields in ten upazilas of Netrakonaare now presenting stunning vistas of farmers cropping their Boro paddy with a look of overwhelming joy for a possible excellent yield.
The Boro cultivators here are looking forward to having a bumper production of the paddy as its harvesting is going on in full swing in the district, especially in the haor areas, during the current season. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Netrakona, took a massive programme to bring 1,74,775 hectares of land under Boro farming in the ten upazilas of the district with a production target of 6.82 lakh tonnes. The upazilas are: Netrakona sadar, Kendua, Atpara, Madan, Barhatta, Purbadhala, Durgapur, Mohangonj, Kalmakanda and Khaliazuri.
Acreage of the paddy cultivation in almost all the upazilas, especially in the haor areas, was so satisfactory showing bright prospect of yield. The cultivation exceeded the target by more than 4,805 hectares of land and the production also may go beyond the target by 18,739 tonnes.
The farmers are now busy cropping Boro in the fields that have taken a golden hue but what they are in great apprehension of is nor’wester accompanied by hailstorm causing a colossal damage to their crop.
Besides, early flood which is a common phenomenon may also cause extensive harm to the paddy fields in the haor areas this time. The harvesting will continue till the next month, the sources added.
Nawab Chowdhury of Banuair village under Khaliazuri upazila said he has already started harvesting Boro paddy and the production seems to have been very satisfactory this year. Samauddin Chowdhury, a resident of Barantor village under Mohangonj upazila, said although he expected a very good paddy output, the yield would stand a bit lower than the expectation as the standing crops in his field were affected by hailstorm last month. Sanjoy Bhoumik, of Shaldhiga village under Khaliazuri upazila, said Boro has grown in his field very well this season but it can be damaged if hailstorm hits again.Samir Kumar Sarkar, deputy director of the DAE, Netrakona,when asked, told UNB that there would be a bumper production of Boro paddy in the district this season if there is no severe storm before the harvest.
Farmers have cultivated both local and high yielding varieties (HYV) of Boro paddy, including Tepi, Kalaya, Garbi, Moyna Shail, BRRI Dhan 28, 29, Mogol Shai, etc., he added.
