Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and framers have been expecting bumper production of potato in the district during this current season, official sources said.
Department of Agriculture Extension office sources said a total of 54,927 hectares of land have been brought under potato cultivation in 12 upazilas of the district with the production target 10,79,815 tonnes of potato.But, the farmers have successfully brought 61,305 hectares of land under the cultivation programme taking advantage of favorable climatic conditions and 1.2 million tonnes of potato would be produced in the district, DAE sources said.DAE sources said of the total, some 7,495 hectares of land have been brought under the cultivation in Sadar upazila, 5,500 hectares in
Shahjahanpur upazila, 2,420 hectares in Sherpur upazila, 550 hectares in Dhunat upazila, 1,440 hectares in Gabtali upazila, 560 hectares in Sariakandi upazila, 2,150 hectares in Sonatala upazila, 18,000 hectares in Shibganj upazila, 8,860 hectares in Kahaloo upazila, 7,230 hectares in Dhupchanchia upazila, 4,600 hectares in Adamdighi upazila and 2,500 hectares in Nandigram upazila.Deputy Director of DAE Bojlur Rashid said, potato cultivation now considered as a financial crop to the farmers, so the cultivation increasing in the district every year.DAE is making conscious farmers about balance use of fertilizer, proper use of pesticides and modern knowledge of the cultivation.They are inspiring farmers to produce more crops and also ensuring the supply of fertilizer and all agriculture equipments under government patronisation, he added.Farmers said they could earn instant money by cultivating potato so they are getting more interest about the cultivation. Per kg potato production cost is nearly Tk 5 but now per kg potato selling in Tk 15-20 at retail market of Bogra. -BSS, Bogra
