BSS, Rangpur
Transplantation of Boro seedling has been getting momentum now everywhere in the northern region to make the officially fixed farming programme of the major cereal crop successful this season.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, the farmers have already transplanted Boro seedling on 2.40 lakh hectares of land, 15 percent of the fixed target of bringing 15.99 lakh hectares under its cultivation in the region this season.
The government has fixed a record national target of producing over 1.89 crore tonne of clean Boro rice from 4.78 lakh hectares of land in the country during the current 2014-2015 Boro season.
Under the programme, over 63.69 lakh tonne of Boro rice, 33.56 per cent of the fixed national production target, will be produced in the northern region, commonly known as the country’s food granary, this season,
Of them, over 10.68 lakh tonne hybrid Boro rice will be produced from over 2.26 lakh hectares of land, 52.86 lakh tonne high yielding variety rice from over 13.65 hectares and 21,813 tonne local variety rice from 10,589 hectares in the northern region.
The farmers have engaged their all-out efforts to attain the fixed farming target after completing preparation of Boro seedbeds and started transplantation of the seedling amid favourable climatic condition everywhere.
Horticulture Specialist Khondker Md. Mesbahul Islam of the DAE said transplantation of Boro seedling has been getting momentum as the farmers have completed preparation of their necessary seedbeds.
The farmers are not facing problems in procuring fertilisers despite the hartal and blockade as the authorities concerned and administration have ensured adequate stock and supply of fertilisers and diesel.
However, the small and marginal farmers, landless and riverside people and char dwellers have mostly completed transplantation of Boro seedling in the low-lying and char areas to harvest the crop before commencement of the next rainy season.
According to the DAE sources, some six lakh deep and shallow tube wells and low lift pumps would be put into operation for irrigating Boro fields to make the Boro farming programme successful in the region.
Necessary steps and preparations have already been taken to ensure smooth supply of diesel, power or fertilisers to the farmers by the government despite the continuous blockade programme.
The agriculture related organisations have taken steps to ensure maximum facilities to the farmers this season, including delivery of the latest resource and conservation-based agriculture technologies, for enhancing rice production at reduced costs.
Noted rice scientist and Associate Director -Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia and Africa) Dr M A Mazid suggested farmers to complete seedling transplantation within February 15 to get maximum yield and end the process by March 15.
Deputy Director of the DAE for Rangpur Zulfiquer Haider and Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Afzal Hossain here said steps have been taken for delivery of the latest technologies to the farmers in enhancing Boro rice production at lower costs.
The farmers would largely adopt the resource- and conservation-based agriculture technologies like ‘Alternate Wetting and Drying’ method for irrigation of Boro fields this season to reduce lifting of underground water and save electricity, they said.
