Distribution of Taka 8.82 crore special incentives among 68,430
farmers has already been
completed for encouraging Aus cultivation in the northern region
during the current season, official sources said.
“Sowing of Aus seeds already completed and tender plants are growing
well now while transplantation of seedlings will end by this month,”
Horticulture Specialist of the Department of
Agriculture Extension (DAE) Khandker M Mesbahul Islam said.
Aus seeds and fertilisers worth over Taka 8 crore 82 lakhs have been
distributed among the beneficiary farmers in 11 northern districts out
of 16 in the region under the special incentive package.
Each of the 66,960 beneficiary farmers received 5 kg high yielding
variety Aus seeds, 20 kg urea, 10 kg di-ammonium
phosphate (DAP) and 10 kg murrieta of potash (MoP) fertilisers
and Taka 300 as cash for irrigation purposes for Aus farming on
one bigha of land.
Besides, each of 1,470 beneficiary farmers were provided
with 10 kg Nerico Aus seeds, 20 kg urea, 10 kg DAP and 10 kg MoP
fertilisers, Taka 300 for irrigation and Taka 300 for weed
cleaning to cultivate Nerica Aus on one bigha of land this
season.
The DAE has fixed a target of producing 5,27,690 tonne Aus
rice from 2,16,606 hectares of land this year after the farmers
got repeated bumper Aus production during the past few
consecutive seasons in the region.
The farmers will produce 4,77,763 tonnes of high yielding
variety Aus rice from 1,78,200 hectares of land and 49,927 tonnes
local variety Aus rice from 38,406 hectares of land this season.
Additional Director of the DAE Sikander Ali said the present
government has been providing necessary assistance to the farmers
for expanding Aus cultivation to increase rice production for
attaining sustainable food security.
“Aus farming increases every year during the off-season
period after harvesting Boro and before transplantation of T-
Aman seedlings to produce additional rice in recent years,” he
added.
Farmers Echahaq Ali, Mominur Rahman and Abul Fazal said they
have cultivated Aus in one to two bigha of lands each on an
average this season and the tender plants are growing now
excellent amid favourable weather so far.
Associate Director Agriculture of BRAC International (South
Asia and Africa) Dr MA Mazid said increasing Aus farming, during
the off-season when the land remains fallow, is a good indication
to produce additional rice in meeting food security under adverse
climate.
(BSS, Rangpur)
