Photo : BSS

By Azad Ruhul Amin 

BAGERHAT, April 18, 2025 (BSS) - Kachua upazila in the district has seen a 
bumper maize harvest this year, bringing a wave of enthusiasm among local 
farmers, especially as maize gains importance as a key ingredient in fish 
feed.

With its lower production costs compared to rice and a higher market price, 
maize-- often dubbed the "golden grain"-- are quickly becoming the crop of 
choice for many. Its growing popularity marks a promising shift in 
agricultural trends across the region, said officials of Upazila Agriculture 
Office. 

They said maize has become an essential feed for fish, driving up its demand. 
As a result, hundreds of fish farmers in the region are now growing maize for 
their own use and selling the excess in local markets. 

This year, maize has been cultivated on 145 hectares of land in Kachua, an 
increase of 15 hectares from the previous year. The crop is widely grown in 
the Shialkathi, Chotoboga, and Madartala areas of the upazila.

According to the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, maize can be 
grown twice a year-- during the Rabi and Kharif seasons. Maize sowing 
typically occurs from October to November for the Rabi season while between 
February 15 and March 30 for the Kharif season. 

The crop takes about 125-130 days to mature in the Rabi season, and 80-90 
days in the Kharif season. Average yields per hectare are around 3.5-4.0 
tonnes during Rabi, and 2.5-3.5 tonnes during Kharif.

Maize sales have surged across Kachua, reflecting its profitability. The 
entire plant is useful: green leaves serve as cattle fodder, stalks are used 
as fuel, and husks and other residues are also sold. These by-products help 
farmers recoup cultivation costs.

While talking to farmers, they said that maize cultivation on one acre of 
land costs approximately Taka 17,000, with an average yield of 30 kilograms 
per 100 decimal. The crop is sold at Taka 1,300-1,400 per maund.

Md. Sabur Sheikh, a farmer from Madartala village in Gojalia Union of the 
upazila, told BSS that last year he earned Taka one lakh from one acre of 
maize. This year, he expanded cultivation by an additional 50 decimals and 
expects to earn Taka 2.5 lakh. 

He said maize is a viable alternative to costly fish meal and has started 
drying and storing his own maize for use in his fisheries.

Another farmer Nurul Islam Sikder of Madartala said he earned Taka 74,000 
last year from maize grown on 74 decimals. This year, he has expanded 
cultivation to 1.5 acres and hopes to earn at least Taka 80,000 more. He 
credited the higher yield to fewer pest attacks and improved irrigation.

Farmer Shafayet Hossain, also from Madartala, said he sold his maize crop at 
Taka one lakh last year. This season, he is optimistic about increasing 
earnings by an additional Taka 75,000.

Maize is marketed across several areas including Fatepur, Jatrapur, Nazirpur, 
Baburhat and Khezur Tola in Bagerhat along with Kachua, Gojalia, Badhal and 
Bhasha. 

Buyers also visit farms directly to purchase the produce. Even before 
harvest, green maize leaves are sold for use as cow fodder, and dried stalks 
are in demand as fuel - ensuring no part of the crop goes to waste.

Tushar Kanti Saha, deputy assistant agriculture officer for Gojalia Union, 
stated that although there was no direct government incentive for maize 
cultivation this year, the Upazila Parishad (UP) distributed seeds to 120 
farmers. Despite limited support, maize farming expanded significantly, he 
said. 

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has been providing continuous 
technical guidance throughout the cultivation process, he added.

Akash Bairagi, agriculture officer of Kachua upazila, said maize requires 
significantly less irrigation than paddy. Last year, maize worth Taka 3.5 
crore was sold in Kachua and this season, sales are expected to surpass at 
Taka 4.5 crore, he added.