RANGPUR, Aug 5, 2023 (BSS) - Farmers have already completed the

transplantation of Aman rice seedlings on 60.26 percent of targeted land
areas as the process continues amid frequent rainfalls now in Rangpur
agriculture region.

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said farmers have
already transplanted Aman rice seedlings on 3,70,259 hectares of land, 60.26
percent of targeted land area, for cultivation of the crop till Friday.
 
"We are expecting to achieve the fixed farming target of Aman rice as
transplantation of seedling continues well now following frequent rainfalls
in recent days," said Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region
Agriculturist Md Aftab Hossain.
 
The DAE has fixed a target of producing 18,68,032 tonnes of clean Aman rice
(28,02,048 tonnes of paddy) from 6,14,400 hectares of land this season for
all five districts of Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur
in the region.
 
The target includes production of 15,90,513 tonnes of high yielding varieties
of Aman rice from 5,27,870 hectares, 2,24,591 tonnes of hybrid varieties from
68,702 hectares and 32,928 tonnes of local varieties of Aman rice from 17,828
hectares of land.
 
"In the meantime, farmers have prepared Aman rice seedbeds in 33,758 hectares
of land against the requirement of preparing the same on 30,330 hectares of
land for cultivation of the crop on the targeted 6,14,400 hectares of land,"
Hossain added.
 
Deputy Director of the DAE for Rangpur Agriculturist Md Obaidur Rahman Mandal
said special steps have been taken to ensure the use of high quality seeds,
prepare model seedbeds and ensure balanced fertilization to enhance rice
production.
 
"Taking into account the possibility of floods, we have also taken special
measures to prepare more seedbeds so that the farming process of Aman rice
was not affected under any circumstances," Mandal said.
 
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Barind Multipurpose
Development Authorities and farmers put their irrigation pumps into operation
for transplantation of Aman rice seedlings amid less rainfalls and a drought-
like situation.
 
Field level agriculture officials of the DAE are providing necessary
assistance and latest technologies to the farmers to ensure successful
cultivation of Aman rice.
 
"Besides, we have taken additional measures like preparation of late
varieties of Aman rice seedbeds on highlands and floating seedbeds in low-
lying areas so that there was no crisis of seedlings for floods," he added.
 
Talking to BSS, a number of local farmers said transplantation of Aman rice
seedling has now got momentum following frequent seasonal rainfalls in recent
days at most places after a drought-like situation.
 
Earlier, they mostly used lifted underground water to transplant Aman rice
seedlings on their lands almost since the beginning of the season due to lack
of adequate seasonal rainfalls.
 
"However, farmers are expected to achieve the fixed farming target of Aman
rice this season following various realistic steps taken by the government in
the region," said farmer Ariful Haque Batul of Najirdigar village in Rangpur
sadar upazila.
 
Farmers Mohsin Ali of Rangpur Sadar upazila, Abdul Khaleque and Chand Mian of
Kurigram Sadar upazila, Mohir Ali and Nur Mohammad of Nilphamari Sadar
upazila said that they already completed the transplantation of Aman
seedlings on their lands.
 
"Tender Aman rice plants are growing excellent in crop fields following
frequent rainfalls in recent days after a drought-like situation," said
farmer Manik Mian of Darshona village in Rangpur Sadar upazila.