RANGPUR, Aug 29, 2018 (BSS) – A record quantity of over 1.23 lakh tonnes of clean Aus rice, 78.85 percent higher than the fixed production target, has been produced as harvest of the crop just ended in Rangpur agriculture region.
Officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said the record-breaking success was achieved in getting bumper production of Aus rice following effective steps taken by the government and favourable climatic conditions.
The farmers are very happy now getting fabulous Aus crop output and excellent market price between Taka 850 and 950 per mound (every 40 kilogram) of the newly harvested Aus paddy in the region.
Horticulture Specialist of the DAE at its regional office Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said the DAE had fixed a target of bringing 26,159 heaters of land under Aus rice cultivation to produce 68,969 tonnes of clean Aus rice this season.
The enthusiastic farmers, however, cultivated Aus rice on 40,618 hectares of land exceeding the fixed farming target by 14,459 hectares or 55.27 percent in all five districts under Rangpur agriculture region.
“After completing harvest yesterday, the farmers finally produced over 1.23 lakh tonnes of Aus crop in terms of clean rice, higher by 54,381 tonnes or 78.85 percent than the fixed production target,” Islam said.
The farmers have finally produced 34,570 tonnes of clean hybrid variety Aus rice from 9,544 hectares of land, 88,088 tonnes of clean high yielding variety Aus rice from 30,639 hectares and 697 tonnes of clean local variety Aus rice from 395 hectares of lands.
Talking to BSS, Deputy Director of the DAE at its regional office Md Moniruzzaman narrated the reasons behind achieving bumper output of the off-season and short duration Aus rice as an additional cereal crop this season.
“Distribution of huge fertilisers, seed and money as incentives and motivational activities conducted by the DAE and other organisations inspired the farmers in expanding cultivation of less irrigation water consuming Aus rice,” he said.
The government distributed special incentives among 8,000 farmers who got 5 kg Aus rice seed, 20 kg urea, 10 kg DAP and 10 kg MoP 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.
Besides, frequent rainfalls at nights and sunshine at daytimes during last April and May months worked as tonic for tender Aus rice plants ensuring smooth photosynthesis process leading to healthier growth and excellent rice output.
“The farmers got an average yield rate of 3.04 tonnes of clean Aus rice per hectare against targeted 2.64 tonnes following favourable weather and farming of hybrid and high yielding varieties of the crop on more lands,” he said.
Talking to BSS, 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 this northern part of Bangladesh.
“After completing Aus rice cultivation using unused seasonal rainwater during the off-season after Boro harvests and before Aman rice seedling transplantation, farmers can easily cultivate Aman rice on same land to increase rice production,” he added.