Dhaka – Transplantation of Boro seedling has been ending as the farmers have already brought about 89 per cent of the targeted land area under its cultivation in all five districts under Rangpur agriculture region. According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, the farmers have already transplanted Boro seedling on 4.45 lakh hectares of land, about 89 per cent of the fixed target of bringing 5.02 lakh hectares of land under its cultivation this season. The government has fixed a target of producing 20.69 lakh tonnes of clean Boro rice from 5.02 lakh hectares of land for Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts under Rangpur agriculture region this time. Under the programme, 7.17 lakh tonnes hybrid Boro rice will be produced from 1.51 lakh hectares of land, 13.49 lakh tonnes high yielding variety rice from 3.48 lakh hectares and 3.49 tonnes local variety Boro rice from 1,884 hectares of land this season. Till February 18 last, the farmers already transplanted seedling of hybrid variety Boro rice on over 1.27 lakh hectares of land, high yielding variety on over 3.16 lakh hectares and local variety Boro rice on 2,115 hectares of land in the region. Talking to BSS, Horticulture Specialist of the DAE Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said transplantation of Boro seedling was continuing smoothly as the process would complete by the middle of March next. “Over 4.20 lakh irrigation pumps, including power and diesel driven 49,234 deep tube wells, 3.71 lakh shallow tube wells and low lift pumps and 227 solar panel driven pumps have been put into operation for irrigating the Boro fields in the region,” he said. Deputy Director of DAE Ashraf Ali said, “The government has taken steps to make the Boro farming programme successful through ensuring smooth irrigation, supply of fuels, fertilisers and electricity and other facilities to the farmers this season.” “The farmers are largely using resource conservation technologies like Alternate Wetting and Drying irrigation method and seedling transplantation machines this time to enhance Boro rice yield at lower costs and reducing lifting of underground water,” he said. Regional Additional Director of DAE Shah Alam told BSS that officials and experts of all agriculture related departments and organisations were assisting the farmers to make the fixed Boro farming programme successful.Agency
