RAJSHAHI, Feb 27, 2020 (BSS) – Wheat farmers have started adopting the
bed planting method as part of their efforts to promote farm mechanization in
the region including its vast Barind tract.
“Wheat growers are getting benefits in many ways after adopting the
modern method in the region for the last couple of years,” said Dr Ilias
Hossain, Principal Scientific Officer of Rajshahi Regional Station in
Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute.
Illustrating the salient feature of the method he said it’s suitable in
the areas where ground water level is receding and herbicide-resistant weeds
are creating problems.
By dint of much interest among the farmers, acreage of wheat farming in
bed-planting method has been gaining momentum.
Dr Hossain said the wheat farmers are expecting better yield like the
previous year through adopting the bed plantation system in the current
season.
Bed planting improves water distribution and irrigation efficiency,
gives better results in using fertilizers and pesticides.
The method also reduces weed infestation and crop lodging. It saves
crops from disturbance from rats. It helps farmers save 30 percent irrigation
water and 30 to 40 percent of seeds and fertilisers.
To maintain sound soil health, it could be advisable to grow rice using
a different system in order to improve compatibility between monsoon rice and
upland winter crops.
He expected that the wheat farming after the best uses of the modern
system will be increased in the next season.
Anwar Hossain of Nandigram village under Durgapur upazila said he had
purchased a two bed-planter machines and cultivated wheat on around 250
bighas of land last year.
He harvested 5/7 mounds more yield from per bigha of land than the
conventional system.
The machine inspired him to purchase two more machines. By which, he
brought around 450 bighas under the wheat farming this year.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a
target of producing around 5.19 lakh tonnes of wheat from around 1.46 lakh
hectares of land during the current season in all eight districts under
Rajshahi division.
The DAE has disbursed seeds and fertilizers worth around Taka 3.38 crore
free of cost among 17,000 poor and marginal farmers for wheat farming under
the government’s agricultural incentive programme in the division, said Deb
Dulal Dhali, Additional Director of DAE.
Various other government and non-government entities have adopted
diversified steps to make farming a total success in the region as it’s
suitable for the crop for its water-saving and drought tolerant features.
Agriculturist Dhali said farmers and field level agricultural extension
officials and researchers concerned are hoping for a satisfactory wheat yield
in the region as they are now very much happy over the present farming
condition.
He mentioned that the prevailing suitable climatic condition has made
them inspired and hopeful about the upcoming wheat harvesting. Everywhere in
the wheat-growing areas the farmers are now seen busy in nursing and caring
the farming fields.
Abu Kalam, a farmer of Nandangachhi village under Charghat Upazila, said
he’s very much optimistic about the coming wheat yield. He said the present
weather coupled with topographic condition is supportive for the cash crop.
Taking advantage of the natural privileges the farmers brought more
lands under cultivation of the cereal crop as well as staple food.
Mozammel Haque, another farmer of Panchandar village under Tanore
Upazila, is now happy over witnessing the wheat growing field.
He attributed that timely sowing of seeds accompanied by the cold spell,
has been considered as a positive sign for attaining a bumper production of
the cash crop.