Photo : TDM
Farmers in Thakurgaon district, located in the northern part of the country, are currently engrossed in the task of planting Aman rice. In various areas of Sadar Upazila and the district, one can observe farmers raising and planting Aman saplings.
Recent days of rainfall have facilitated the process of planting seedlings, making it easier for the farmers to carry out their tasks. Additionally, to ensure proper irrigation of highlands, farmers are employing Shallow machines and Barendra deep tube wells.
The scenes of workers gathering in groups to pick and plant Aman saplings can be witnessed in several regions such as Danarhat, Barunagaon, Shibganj, Nargun, Begunbari, Khochabari, Pirganj, Haripur, and Ranishankail upazilas of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila.
Particularly captivating is the sight of women laborers engaged in picking and planting the seedlings. Farmers have revealed their plans to cultivate several popular rice varieties this season and are relieved by the sufficient rainfall as compared to the previous year.
One of the farmers, Md. Nazmul Islam from Bochhapukur Pokati village in Nargun Union of Sadar Upazila, intends to plant Aman paddy on a substantial 250 cents (approximately two and a half acres) of land this year. He has already started the planting process due to the continuous rainfall, which ensured adequate water supply for the fields.
Similarly, Md. Hamidur Rahman, a farmer from Masterpara village of Mohammadpur union, has initiated the Aman plantation on about 150 acres of land, expressing hope to succeed with the available water.
According to the Directorate of Agricultural Extension, the district's target for Aman cultivation this year is 137,100 hectares of land. So far, 8,644 hectares have been cultivated, with a production target of 379,355 metric tons. Comparatively, last year's target was 137,350 hectares, with 18,640 hectares actually cultivated, resulting in a production target of 429,716 metric tons.
The Deputy Director of Thakurgaon Agricultural Extension Department, agriculturist Abu Hossain, highlighted the district's reputation for rice production and assured that all necessary agricultural services and guidance are being provided to the farmers this year, just as in previous years. While the recent rains have adequately filled the fields with water, there are some areas with a slight shortage of water in higher lands.
Farmers have been advised to maintain their irrigation systems even in the absence of rainwater, and the irrigation pumps are operational. With optimism, Hossain expects the rice production to surpass the target, enabling the farmers to receive fair prices for their crops this year.
TDM/SD
