RANGPUR, Dec 03, 2017 (BSS/BSS) – The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has fixed a target of over 17.05-lakh tonnes of maize production from about 1.95-lakh hectares of land during this Rabi season in Rangpur division.
The DAE officials said the farmers are now busy in sowing of maize seed. They got repeated bumper production in Rangpur division in recent years.
So far 35,000 hectares of land brought under maize cultivation as sowing of seeds continues in full swing in five districts under Rangpur agriculture region and three districts under Dinajpur agriculture region in the division.
Under the programme, 8.11-lakh tonnes of maize will be produced from 92,705 hectares of land in Rangpur agriculture region and 8.94-lakh tonnes of maize from 1.02-lakh hectares of land in Dinajpur agriculture region of the division this season.
Horticulture Specialist of the DAE at its regional office here Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said cultivation of maize has become popular among the farmers.
“Like in the previous seasons, the char people are also cultivating maize in the sandy and barren char lands on the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dharla, Jamuna, Dudhkumar, Kartoa, Ghaghot and other river basins in Rangpur division this season,” Islam added.
Dinajpur Hub Coordinator of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center Anarul Haque said cultivation of maize may reduce Boro farming in phases to save underground water.
Regional Additional Director of the DAE here Md Shah Alam said maize cultivation is increasing every year.