Photo : BSS

RANGPUR, April 11, 2025 (BSS) - The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target to produce 1,91,460 tonnes of clean Aush rice in Rangpur region during the current Kharif-1 season. At least 2,87,190 tonnes of paddy will be harvested during the period.

So far, farmers have prepared seedbeds on 2,275 hectares of land, out of the target of 2,994 hectares in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts of the region, according to the DAE.

Transplantation of Aush rice seedlings has already begun, and 15,345 hectares of land have been planted. This is 24.26 percent of the total target.

DAE officials said transplantation will pick up speed at the end of April and continue until the first week of June.

Aush rice cultivation is increasing because it needs less irrigation water, has a shorter growing period, and fits well between Boro harvest and Aman planting, Rarngpur DAE deputy director Md. Afzal Hossain told BSS today.
 
He said the government is helping farmers with free seeds, fertilizers, and modern farming techniques. Motivational campaigns are also being run to encourage more farmers to grow Aush rice.

Last year, farmers in the region produced 1,84,617 tonnes of clean Aush rice from 61,782 hectares of land.

"After harvesting Aush paddy by mid-August, farmers can easily cultivate Aman paddy on the same land to increase rice production to increase national food security," he said.

Md. Mamunur Rashid, a PhD fellow at the Department of Agricultural Extension of Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology, said expanding Aush rice cultivation will help increase food production and face the challenges of climate change.

He encouraged using seasonal rainwater in May, June, and July for Aush farming, which is a low-cost alternative to Boro rice and does not affect Aman rice cultivation.

Local farmers, including Abdur Rahman, Abdul Kuddus, Monirul Haque, and Isahaque Ali, said they are now preparing their land for Aush rice planting and are hopeful about a good harvest.