RANGPUR, Nov 7, 2025 (BSS) - The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target of producing 4,004 tonnes of six varieties of pulses from 2,685 hectares of land in the Rangpur agricultural region during the current Rabi season. Meanwhile, farmers have already started sowing pulse seeds with great enthusiasm in both the mainland and riverine char areas of all five districts of the region - Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, and Nilphamari. The fixed target includes the production of 1,679 tonnes of lentil from 1,133 hectares, 1,851 tonnes of khesari from 1,259 hectares, 111 tonnes of arhar (pigeon pea) from 57 hectares, 78 tonnes of gram (chickpea) from 35 hectares, 230 tonnes of mung bean from 170 hectares, and 55 tonnes of cowpea from 31 hectares of land. In the last 2024-2025 Rabi season, farmers cultivated these six varieties of pulses on 2,697 hectares in the Rangpur agricultural region, against a target of 2,923 hectares. "Due to crop diversity and the cultivation of vegetables on more land, it was not possible to meet the specific target for pulse cultivation in the last Rabi season," said Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region, Agriculturist Md Sirajul Islam. However, the DAE and other agriculture-related organizations are providing necessary training and technology to farmers to achieve the fixed target and make the pulse cultivation programme successful this season. The present interim government, through the DAE, continues to distribute free seeds and fertilizers of lentils, as well as seeds of various pulse varieties, as incentives to motivate small and marginal farmers to increase pulse cultivation. "In addition, commercial banks are providing easy-term loans to farmers to encourage them to bring more land under pulse cultivation and increase production," said Additional Director Md Sirajul Islam. Farmers have already brought 395 hectares under cultivation of these six varieties of pulses. The sowing process is expected to continue until mid-February in the region. With higher production and favorable market prices in recent years, farmers are expected to exceed the pulse cultivation target this season. Deputy Director at Burirhat Horticulture Centre in Rangpur, Agriculturist Dr Md Abu Sayem, said there is huge potential to increase pulse production in the region through proper crop diversification and relay-system cultivation. "We have placed special emphasis on exploring the existing potential for increasing pulse production through adoption of the latest agricultural technologies and use of high-yielding seed varieties," he said. He particularly emphasized increasing the cultivation of pulses alongside other crops and adopting mixed, relay, and intercropping methods to enhance production and achieve self-reliance on pulses by reducing imports. Farmers Mofizar Rahman, Kalim Uddin, Moksedur Rahman, Mokbul Hossain, and Jahirul Islam of Taraganj upazila, Rangpur, said they have already sown seeds of different pulse varieties on their croplands after harvesting short-duration Aman rice. "With the progress of Aman rice harvesting, the sowing of pulses will gain full momentum and continue until next February," said farmer Mofizar Rahman. The farmers were optimistic that, if the weather remains favorable, it will be possible to achieve better pulse production this season.

By S M Zahid Hossain KHULNA, Nov 7, 2025 (BSS) - In the quiet village of Brahmagati under Digholia upazila in Khulna, a once struggling mason has turned his life around through hard work and determination. Mizanur Rahman, a 35-year-old local youth, is now a successful poultry farmer and an example of how dedication and self-belief can lead to prosperity. Before starting his farm, Mizanur worked as a construction labourer to support his family. "Life was hard, and my income barely covered daily expenses. But instead of giving up, I dreamed of building something of my own. Two years ago, encouraged by my friends and local farmers Khalid Khan and Baki Khan, I decided to start a small broiler farm in my village," Mizan said on Thursday while talking to BSS. "I visited several local farms and learned from experienced farmers before starting my own," Mizanur added. "I began with only 300 broiler chickens, and it was a big risk for me as I had no previous experience." He invested about Tk 2 lakh to build the poultry shed and buy chicks, feed, and other materials. Though he made little profit in his first batch, Mizanur continued with patience and learned from his mistakes. Over time, he gained confidence and expanded his farm. At present, his farm houses around 1,200 broiler chickens. Each production cycle requires an investment of about Tk 3.5 lakh, and after selling the chickens, he earns around Tk 4.5 lakh, making a profit of roughly Tk 1 lakh per batch. However, his journey was not without challenges. Last year, a sudden disease outbreak claimed about 200 chickens, causing a significant loss. "That was a tough time," he recalled. "But I did not give up. I became more cautious about farm management and health safety." Mizanur and his wife jointly run the farm. They take care of everything-from mixing feed and cleaning the sheds to selling the chickens at the local market. He has not taken any bank loan or government assistance so far; the entire operation runs on his own capital. Digholia Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Mahmuda Sultana told BSS, "Mizanur Rahman is a dedicated and hardworking farmer. His success is motivating other young people in the area to take up poultry farming. Farmers like him are contributing significantly to the rural economy." The demand for Mizanur's chickens has been rising steadily in local markets. Many young men now visit his farm to seek advice and learn about poultry management. Looking ahead, Mizanur dreams of expanding his farm into a larger, self-sufficient enterprise. "I want to build a modern poultry farm and create jobs for others," he said. "If one works hard and stays honest, success will surely come." In a time when many young people are chasing government jobs, Mizanur Rahman stands as a shining example that determination, courage, and hard work can turn dreams into reality. Mushfiq Shakil, another poultry farmer, said Mizanur is an inspiration to him and many other unemployed youth who have become self-reliant through poultry farming. Livestock experts said family poultry farming is chosen by 85 percent of farmers as a subsidiary occupation in rural areas of Khulna. A small poultry farmer earns an income of Tk 1,50,000 to 2,00,000 per year as net return from family poultry farming, which also generates on average 80 percent of working man-days per year as employment, especially for women. Family poultry farming has improved livelihoods by changing food habits, increasing knowledge and skills, promoting savings, enhancing social status and recreational opportunities, improving nutrition, family health, and sanitation, and empowering women. Bird cost, feed cost, and labour cost had positive and significant impacts on gross return, while transportation and marketing costs were positive but insignificant. Disease outbreaks were identified as the main setback in family poultry production.