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SIRAJGANJ, Feb 10: Farmers in 16 northern districts under Rajshahi division are expecting a bumper production of transplanted Aman paddy this season, official sources said.
Devastating floods and post monsoon downpour last year forced the farmers of the region to use seedlings for the second time that delayed the cultivation of the paddy, sources said.
However, rice growers in the region have expressed the hope of reaping bumper production of Aman paddy despite facing repeated natural calamities.
Favourable climatic condition and adequate supply of necessary fertilisers and pesticides are the reasons behind the expected production.
According to sources, the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) had spent about Tk 14 million (1.4 crore) for preparing Aman seedbeds on 282.19 hectares of land in 10 worst-hit districts in Rajshahi division under the agriculture rehabilitation programme and distributed seedlings among the farmers.
Besides, the Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank had disbursed adequate crop loans among the farmers to make the paddy cultivation a complete success in the region.
The DAE had brought 0.22 million hectares of land under paddy cultivation in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, Natore, Pabna, Sirajganj, Bogra and Joypurhat districts.
But the farmers of these districts have actually cultivated transplanted Aman on around 0.73 million (7.30 lakh) hectares of land.
High yielding varieties of paddy like 'paijam' have been cultivated on 624,500 hectares of land, while local varieties on 104,500 hectares in the eight districts.
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