Photo: Maize harvesting is in full swing in the corn fields of Chatmohar, Pabna, as observed on a Sunday.
Maize cultivation is burgeoning due to its widespread usage in livestock and fish feed, leading to an escalating demand. In response to this rising demand, farmers in Pabna are increasingly turning to maize cultivation. A decade or so ago, maize was cultivated on a limited scale in this region.
The surge in maize cultivation is attributed to its low production cost and its role in meeting the food demand. In this locality, farmers are expanding their maize production to cater to the needs of both cattle and fish farms. This year, due to favorable market prices, maize farmers are reaping profits of 15,000 taka per bigha.
According to the District Agriculture Extension Directorate, the target for maize cultivation in Pabna district during the current rabi season was 2,580 hectares of land, but it has surpassed expectations with cultivation on 2,865 hectares, exceeding the target by 285 hectares. The production target stands at 26,058 metric tons, with 15,814 metric tons already harvested.
Ramzan Molla, a maize farmer from Bara Guakhra village in Chatmohar Upazila, mentioned that post-monsoon, some individuals sow maize seeds in the muddy soil of the area, while others cultivate the land for maize growth. The combined expenses for weed removal, multiple rounds of irrigation, and fertilizer application amount to around ten to twelve thousand taka per bigha. The yield ranges from thirty to thirty-five maunds per bigha. Currently, Pratiman raw wet corn is being sold for 900 taka in the market, resulting in profits of 10 to 15 thousand taka per bigha for farmers.
Munzil Hossain, a corn farmer from Ramnagar village, provided insight into the costs involved in maize cultivation, which include 2,000 taka for seeds, 1,000 taka for cultivation, 5,000 taka for fertilizer, 4,000 taka for irrigation, 3,000 taka for planting, 3,000 taka for harvesting, and 2,000 taka for weeding per bigha. This totals to about twenty thousand taka. With yields averaging around 30 to 35 maunds per bigha, farmers are making a profit of ten thousand taka per bigha.
Bakul Hossain from Ramnagar village and Abdur Rashid from Bothor village emphasized the importance of selecting suitable maize varieties and providing adequate care, as these factors significantly influence profit and yield. This season, farmers are earning ten to fifteen thousand taka per bigha from maize cultivation.
Md. Roknuzzaman, the Additional Deputy Director (Grains) at the Pabna District Agriculture Extension Directorate, stated that various maize varieties, including NK-40, SK-6702, Kaveri, Kohinoor, and Sunshine, are cultivated in the district. Maize seeds are typically sown from October to November, with harvesting taking place from the end of March to April. The favorable weather conditions this season have resulted in yields ranging from 35 to 40 maunds per bigha, leading to profitable outcomes for maize farmers.
Messenger/Fameema
