BSS, Rangpur :
Transplantation of Aman Paddy seedlings has got momentum following frequent rainfalls in recent days making farmers and farm-labourers busy in all five districts of Rangpur agriculture region.
Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and farmers said transplantation of Aman Paddy seedlings was progressing slowly due to a drought-like situation that prevailed in recent weeks.
“However, transplantation of AmanPadddy seedlings got momentum amid showering of seasonal monsoon rains frequently in recent days,” said Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region Md. Emdad Hossain Sheikh.
The government has fixed a target of producing about 18.08 lakh tonnes of clean Aman rice (about 27.12 lakh tonnes of paddy) from over 6.15 lakh hectares of land for the region during the current season.
The target includes production of 15,47,403 tonnes of high yielding varieties of Aman rice from 5,32,115 hectares of land, 2,24,765 tonnes of hybrid varieties of Aman rice from 64,035 hectares and 35,748 tonnes of local varieties of Aman Paddy from 19,535 hectares of land.
Meanwhile, farmers have so far prepared Aman rice seedbeds on 32,631 hectares of land against the requirement of preparing the same on 30,469 hectares of land for cultivation of the crop on the targeted 6,15,685 hectares of land in the region.
Transplantation of Aman rice seedlings has already been completed on about 80,000 hectares of land as the process is progressing fast amid frequent seasonal monsoon rains in the region.
The government has taken measures to ensure supply of quality seeds, prepare model and floating seedbeds and ensure balanced fertilization and adoption of latest technologies to enhance rice production despite shrinking of cultivable land area.
Besides, ample steps have been taken to prepare late varieties of Aman rice seedbeds on highlands and floating seedbeds in low-lying areas so that there was no crisis of seedlings for floods, if any, during July and August months this season.
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Barind Multipurpose Development Authorities and farmers have kept irrigation pumps ready to operate for Aman rice seedling transplantation in case of less rainfall or droughts.
Field level agriculture officials of the DAE are providing essential assistance and latest technologies to farmers to ensure successful cultivation of Aman Paddy.
“Enthusiastic farmers are transplanting Aman rice seedlings alongside preparing croplands for transplantation of seedlings in all five districts of the region where a favorable climate condition is prevailing now for the purpose,” Hossain added.
Talking to BSS, farmer Md. Ariful Haque of village Najirdigar in Rangpur Sadar said transplantation of Aman Paddy seedlings continues now smoothly amid frequent rainfalls on his seven acres of land.
“I hope transplantation of Aman Paddy seedlings on my crop land will complete by the next couple of weeks,” he said, adding that he has kept his shallow tube wells ready for supplementary irrigation, if needed.
Similarly, farmers Abdul Gafur, Mofizar Rahman, Nur Mohammad, Dulal Chandra and Kafil Uddin of Sadar upazila in Rangpur said they are transplanting Aman rice seedlings on their crop lands in full swing amid frequent rainfalls now.
BSS from Manikganj adds: The farmers here are passing very busy time with cultivating the Aman paddy.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources said they had set a target of cultivation Aman on 35, 800 hectares of land with a production target of 69,689 metric tons of clean rice during the current season in the district.
They said Aman paddy cultivation through sowing system has already been completed and its cultivation through transplanting saplings is going on in full swing.
After harvesting Boro paddy, most of the farmers cultivate Aman as an extra crop.
The cultivation of Aman paddy depends on water and monsoon water is the main source of Aman production. Some of the farmers use deep tube well water for irrigation.
Borhan uddin, 50, a farmer of village Gilando under Manikganj Sadar Upazila, said after harvesting Boro, most of the land remains fallow in all the rainy season.
If they cultivate Aman, it gives them extra grain and straw for their cattle heads, he said.
DAE deputy director AN Enayet Ullah said for boosting the Aman production, the government has distributed incentive among 2200 poor and marginal cultivators such as Aman seeds and fertilizer free of cost during the current season.
He said they are expecting a good production if the favourable weather condition prevails.
