KHULNA, July 8, 2024 (BSS)-The government has distributed high-quality Ropa Aman (Ufshi) seed and fertilizers worth around Taka 5.34 cr. as incentives among 75,400 farmers including the cyclone ‘Remal’ affected area in a bid to increase Ropa Amon’s cultivation and production in four districts of the Khulna agricultural region.

With a view to increasing Ropa Amon (Ufshi) cultivation and production, a total of 29,200 small and marginal farmers in four districts including Khulna, Bagerhat,
 
Satkhira and Narail of the division have got Ropa Amon seeds free of cost as an incentive worth about Taka 206.59 lakh under the Incentive and Rehabilitation Programme of FY 2023-24 (Kharif).

Besides, a total of 4,200 natural disaster affected farmers in four districts of the division have got Ropa Aman seed and fertilizers free of cost worth Taka 29.72 lakh under the rehabilitation programme for poor and marginal farmers of the agricultural zone.

A total of 42,000 farmers of the ‘Remal-hit’ four districts-Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Narail have also received Ropa Aman seeds and fertilizer worth about Taka 297.15 lakh under the rehabilitation programme of FY 2023-24.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) of Khulna region, a total of 9,600 farmers were given Ropa Aman seeds as an incentive worth about Taka 67.92 lakh in Khulna while 7,000 farmers got seeds worth about Taka 49.53 lakh.

 in Bagerhat, 8,600 farmers received seeds worth about Taka 60.85 lakh in Satkhira, and 4,000 farmers were given seeds free of cost which worth about Taka 28.30 lakh in Narail under the agricultural incentive programme.

Besides, a total of 1,000 farmers were given Ufshi Aush seeds and fertilizers as an incentive worth about Taka 7.075 lakh in Khulna district while 1,400 farmers got the seeds and fertilizers worth about Taka 9.905 lakh in Bagerhat, 1,800 farmers got seeds and fertilizers worth about Taka 12.735 lakh in Satkhira under the agricultural relief programme free of cost, the DAE office said.

On the other hand, a total of 12,000 farmers were given Ropa Aman seeds and fertilizers as relief of cyclone of ‘Remal’ worth Taka 84.90 lakh in Khulna district while 22,000 farmers got the seed and fertilizers worth Taka 155.65 lakh in Bagerhat,

3,000 farmers got seed and fertilizers worth Taka 21.225 lakh in Satkhira and 5,000 farmers were given seeds and fertilizers worth Taka 35.38 lakh in Narail under the agricultural incentive programme free of cost, the DAE office added.

Talking to BSS, Additional Director of the DAE in Khulna Zone Mohon Kumar Ghosh said a huge damage occurred in the agricultural sector by the cyclone ‘Remal’ in Khulna zone.

With a view to recovering the loss, side by side with incentives and a rehabilitation programme, the government has additionally distributed the Ropa Aman (Ufshi) seeds free of cost among the poor farmers who lost crops of farming land due to cyclone

‘Remal’ Mohon Kumar said, adding "Each farmer gets five kilogram (KG) of Ropa Aman (Ufshi) seeds and 10 KGs of DAP fertilizer for the cultivation of one bigha land."

"The government provides seed and fertilizers as incentives to recover the loss of the farmers of 'Remal-hit' area to cultivate all types of crops," he added.