GAIBANDHA, Jan 17, 2022 (BSS) - Farmers have begun cultivation of high

valued crop Boro paddy in all the seven upazilas of the district during the
current season amid much enthusiasm.

   Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target of bringing a
total of 1, 30,200 hectares of land under the Boro cultivation this year with
the production target of 5,35,000 metric tons of clean rice.

   The farmers have already prepared seed beds on 7500 hectares of low land
as the seedlings have grown well.

   Though the green seedlings are being affected due to chilly wind and dense
fog sweeping across the northern region including Gaibandha district, the DAE
took precautionary measures to protect the seedlings from cold injuries.

  Different banks including Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank have taken up plans
to disburse agri loans to the growers on easy term during the season to
facilitate the cultivation, officials said.

   To fulfill the cultivation target, necessary measures had been taken to
supply fertilizers, insecticides, and other agri inputs to the farmers at
fair prices with ensuring power supply facility by Northern Electric Supply
Company and Rural Electrification Board, said an official of DAE.

   Bangladesh Barind Development Authority has also made their 460
electricity run deep tube wells and 45 low lift pumps fully operative to help
supply water as irrigation to the farmers at reasonable prices, said
executive engineer Azadul Islam.