Harvesting of transplanted (T) Aman paddy on vast tracts of lands in all the seven upazilas of the district during the current season has completed amid much enthusiasm.Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) set a target to cultivate T-Aman paddy on a total of 1,21,259 hectares of land in the district this year with the production target of 3,13,475 tonnes of rice. The cultivation target was fully achieved after blissful rainfall though the transplantation of Aman seedlings was hampered at the initial stage of the season due to prevailing drought like situation. Later, the target fixed by the department was exceeded bringing more 6,751 hectares of land under the cultivation due to favorable climatic condition. A bumper production of T Aman Paddy was also achieved during this current
season. Favorable climatic condition, proper distribution of high quality seed of BADC and timely supply of fertilizers and other agri inputs to the growers were the reasons behind the achievement of bumper production. Besides, different state-run commercial banks including Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank disbursed agri loans on easy terms to the poor and marginal farmers of the district to help them cultivate the T-Aman paddy on their land, sources said. In addition, DAE also conducted training for the farmers for adopting modern technologies of paddy cultivation, crop management and preservation of quality seed, said M. Aminul Islam, district training officer of DAE. The local hat and bazars of the district have been flooded with newly harvested paddy. The growers are so much happy as they are getting fair prices against the crop. Per maund (40 kg) of paddy sells at Taka 800-820 in local markets of the district depending on its quality. Talking to the BSS, deputy director of DAE Mir Abdur Razzak said many short duration varieties like BINA-7, BRRI Dhan-33, BRRI Dhan 39, BRRI Dhan-49, BRRI Dhan-56, BRRI Dhan-57 and BU Dhan -1, Zinc enriched BRRI Dhan 62 were also cultivated in the district this year to make the farmers familiarized with the varieties. -BSS, Gaibandha
