RANGPUR, Dec 15, 2024 (BSS) - The government has fixed an all-time record target of producing 22,94,195 tonnes of clean Boro rice (34,41,292 tonnes of paddy) from 5,08,978 hectares of land for Rangpur agriculture this season. 
   
Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said ample steps have been taken to assist farmers to make the Boro rice farming program a success aiming at further enhancing rice output during the current Rabi season.
 
Farmers will produce 11,20,334 tonnes of hybrid variety Boro rice from 2,27,853 hectares of land, 11,71,799 tonnes of high yielding variety rice from 2,80,015 hectares and 2,062 tonnes of local variety Boro rice from 1,110 hectares of land. 
 
"Farmers are expecting to bring more land under Boro rice farming this time as the interim government is providing special assistance to farmers," Additional Director of DAE for Rangpur region Md Obaidur Rahman Mondal said.
 
Presently, farmers are completing harvest of Aman rice and sowing seeds of Rabi crops like potato, maize, mustard and winter vegetables in full swing in their croplands alongside preparing seedbeds of early varieties of Boro rice.
 
Farmers have already prepared Boro rice seedbeds in 5,381 hectares of land against the fixed target of preparing the same in 23,189 hectares of land as the process continues in full swing in the region. 
 
"Meanwhile, transplantation of Boro rice seedlings in the low-lying and char areas has already begun to complete harvest of the crop before the next rainy season and the transplantation process will begin in the mainland from mid-January next," Rahman said.
 
Enthusiastic farmers of all five districts of Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat in the region are expected to engage their full efforts to make the intensive Boro rice programme a success. 
 
The DAE, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Barind Multipurpose Development Authority, Rural Electrification Board and commercial banks have taken steps to assist farmers in farming Boro rice.
 
The authorities concerned will ensure smooth supply of quality seeds of Boro rice, fertilisers and power to farmers for smooth cultivation of Boro rice.
 
"We are inspiring farmers to adopt conservation agriculture technologies like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation method in farming Boro rice to lessen lifting of underground water for irrigation and increase rice output at reduced cost," Rahman said. 
 
Besides, field level officials of the DAE have started extending assistance and latest technologies to farmers for successful Boro rice cultivation to enhance rice production aiming at ensuring food security despite adverse impacts of climate change.
 
Talking to BSS, Moynul Haque, Farhan Hossain, Munir Ahmed, Mohsin Ali and Isahaque Ali of different villages in Rangpur Sadar upazila said they are expecting to bring more land under Boro rice cultivation this season.
 
Farmers Ariful Haque Batul of Najirdigar village and Manik Mian of village Darshona village here said they are planning to bring four to five acres of their farmland under Boro rice cultivation this time after getting repeated bumper outputs in previous seasons.