RANGPUR, Nov 22, 2018 (BSS) – As a result of effective steps taken by
the government, cultivation of less irrigation water consuming Aus rice
expanded adequately in last five years in all five districts under Rangpur
agriculture region.
Officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said
distribution of huge incentives and motivational activities inspired the
farmers in expanding cultivation of Aus rice reducing pressure on underground
water.
“The farmers are bringing more land under Aus rice cultivation since the
2014-2015 seasons constantly increasing rice production every year,”
Horticulture Specialist of the DAE at its regional office Khondker Md
Mesbahul Islam told BSS today.
The DAE and other agri-related organisations are inspiring the farmers
in cultivating less irrigation water consuming cereal crops like Aus rice,
wheat and maize to increase food production saving huge underground water
under changing climate.
Besides, fertilisers, Aus seed and other inputs are being distributed
among the farmers to encourage them in expanding Aus paddy cultivation to
increase rice production for food security.
“The farmers cultivated Aus on 19,205 hectares of land to produce 59,865
tonnes of clean rice during the 2014-2015 seasons and produced 61,676 tonnes
of clean rice from 21,063 hectares of land during the 2015-2016 seasons in
the region,” Islam said.
Besides, the farmers produced 65,505 tonnes of clean Aus rice from
21,751 hectares of land during the 2016-2017 seasons and 73,546 tonnes of
clean Aus rice by cultivating the crop on 24,717 hectares of land during the
2017-2018 seasons.
“However, the farmers produced a record quantity of 1.23-lakh tonnes of
clean Aus rice from 40,618 hectares of land during the just-ended 2018-2019
seasons in the region,” Islam added.
Deputy Director of the DAE at its regional office Md Moniruzzaman
discussed reasons behind achieving super bumper output of the off-season Aus
rice as an additional cereal crop during this just-ended season.
Along with conducting motivational activities, the government
distributed incentives among 8,000 farmers who got 5 kg Aus rice seed, 20 kg
urea, 10 kg DAP and 10 kg MoP free of costs and Taka 500 for irrigating Aus
rice field on one bigha of land each.
“Besides, 300 beneficiary farmers got 5 kg Nerico Aus rice seed, 20 kg
urea, 10 kg DAP and 10 kg MoP fertilisers, Taka 500 for irrigating Aus rice
field and Taka 500 for weed control on one bigha land each in the region,”
Moniruzzaman added.
The frequent rainfalls at nights and sunshine at daytimes in last April
and May also worked as tonic for the growing tender Aus rice plants ensuring
smooth photosynthesis process leading to healthier growth and excellent rice
output.
Noted rice scientist Dr Md Abdul Mazid, who got the Independence Award
2018 Medal (food security) this year, expressed satisfaction over increasing
Aus rice cultivation and its production in the northern part of Bangladesh.
“After completing Aus rice cultivation using unused seasonal rainwater
during the off-season after Boro harvests, the farmers cultivated Aman rice
on same land to increase rice production and reap more profits,” he added.