Paddy is being grown by farmers on their property. Picture: BSS

RANGPUR, Feb 4, 2025 (BSS) - Braving recent mild to moderate cold waves, enthusiastic farmers have so far completed transplantation of Boro rice seedlings on 33.68 percent of the targeted land area in Rangpur agricultural region. 

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said tender plants of Boro rice are growing well in the region where transplantation of seedling continues in full swing amid a better and sunny weather from today. 

The DAE and other agriculture-related departments, organisations and institutions are providing the latest technologies to farmers to increase rice production by adapting to the adverse impact of climate change for strengthening food security.

"Getting assistance from the government through the DAE and other organisations, farmers have engaged their all-out efforts to make the Boro rice farming programme successful," Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region Md Afzal Hossain told BSS today.

The DAE has set 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 agricultural region 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. 

"Meanwhile, enthusiastic farmers have already transplanted Boro rice seedlings in 1,71,456 hectares of land, 33.68 percent against the fixed farming target, in all five districts of the region till Monday," he said.

So far, farmers have prepared Boro rice seedbeds on 27,895 hectares of land exceeding the fixed target of preparing the same on 23,189 hectares of land by 20.29 percent in the region.

The DAE with other related organisations, Northern Electricity Supply Company Limited and Rural Electrification Board are ensuring smooth supply of fertilizers and electricity to farmers to ensure smooth Boro rice farming.

"We are expecting that enthusiastic farmers will exceed the fixed Boro rice farming target in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts of the region this season," Agriculturist Afzal Hossain said.

Inspired by the DAE, farmers are adopting conservation agriculture-based technologies, including Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation methods while farming Boro rice to save irrigation water and increase rice output at reduced costs.

"Enthusiastic farmers are showing more interest in applying organic fertilizers and balanced fertilizers to their Boro rice crop fields more and more to get better yield and hygienic rice production this season," he added. 

Deputy Director of the DAE for Rangpur region Agriculturist Md Reaz Uddin said transplantation of Boro rice seedlings continues in full swing amidst sunny weather as the cold wave situation largely improved from today.

"Farmers are bringing more low-lying char lands, beels and riverine areas under Boro cultivation this season to complete harvest there before commencement of the rainy season this year," he added.

Talking to BSS, farmer Isahaque Ali of Kathihara village in Mominur union of Rangpur Sadar upazila said transplantation of Boro rice seedlings has got full momentum in the village and its adjoining areas now.

Farmer Mofizar Rahman of Dolapara village in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur said farmers are transplanting Boor rice seedlings with huge enthusiasm with the improvement of the cold wave situation from today.