KHULNA, May 15, 2023 (BSS)-Harvesting of various crops cultivated on 88,725 acres of lands has already been completed with bumper production making the farmers happy in the Khulna agriculture region this season.

The crops were cultivated under the intensives programme of the government during the just-ended Robi season (2022-23 fiscal years) in the region that covers Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, and Narail districts.

Crops like pumpkin, mustard, watermelon, onion, garlic, chili, pulses, potatoes and other vegetables, maize, wheat, gourd nuts, capsicum and many other crops were mostly cultivated on the lands including saline resilient coastal areas in the region.

Cultivation of various crops on the coastal belt lands is expanding every year cutting poverty and improving livelihoods of hundreds of people living in coastal areas of Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat districts.

“Farmers of Khulna agriculture region have completed the harvesting of their cultivated crops last week and got a bumper output,” said DAE Additional Director of Khulna region Mohon Kumar Ghosh.

"Suitable climate conditions alongside frequent rainfall during the growing season gave farmers hope of getting their desired production," he said.

"We have encouraged the farmers to cultivate wheat in such a way that even after the project period is over, they will produce wheat on their own initiative," he said.

Besides, Bangladesh Krishi Bank and other commercial banks have disbursed crops loan to the farmers for boosting production.
 
"Around 65,000 families have achieved self-reliance by farming crops on these lands and improved their livelihoods with the support of the DAE and different NGOs during the last 14 years in the region," he added.

DAE sources said, the government has distributed quality seeds and fertilizers as special incentives among small and marginal farmers to inspire them in expanding the cultivation of Robi crops.

Talking to the BSS, farmers Wahab Ali, Arab Gazi, Munshi Mia, Mokhles Hawlader and Mohammad Rafiq of coastal belt of Koyra upazila of the district said they have changed their fortunes through cultivating various crops on the saline resilient coastal lands in the recent years.

Farmer Jasim Farazi of Kumira union in Satkhira district said many farmers’ sowed mustard seeds after harvesting short-duration Aman rice on the same land to enhance crop intensity and got more profits.