RANGPUR, May 06, 2020 (BSS) – The government through the Department of
Agricultural Extension (DAE) today distributed combine harvester machines
among the farmers of Kurigram district at fifty percent subsidized rates.
Deputy Commissioner of Kurigram Mohammad Rezaul Karim distributed two
machines in a function held on Sadar upazila office premises in Kurigram town
as the chief guest maintaining physical distance to prevent coronavirus
(COVID-19) spread.
With this, 15 machines were distributed as a part of distributing a total
of 21 machines among the farmers in all nine upazilas of Kurigram district to
assist them in easily harvesting Boro rice at reduced costs overcoming
labourer shortage this season.
The government is distributing the combine harvester machines at Taka 14
lakh per unit against the real price of Taka 28 lakh at 50 percent subsidized
rates to assist the farmers in easily harvesting Boro rice at their fields.
Kurigram Sadar upazila Chairman and General Secretary of Kurigram district
Awami League Anam Uddin Ahmed Manju presided over the function.
Deputy Director of the DAE for Kurigram Agriculturist Dr. AKM Mostafizar
Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md. Hafizur Rahman and Sadar
Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Md. Zakir Hossain attended the
function as special guests.
Talking to BSS this afternoon, Agriculturist Dr. AKM Mostafizar Rahman said
the farmers can successfully face labour-shortage and largely reduce the
harvesting cost of Boro rice using the combine harvester machine.
The farmers, their groups or local service providers could purchase the
combined harvester machines at 50 percent subsidized rates for harvesting
their own cultivated rice and providing the same services at reduced costs to
their fellow farmers.
Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region Agriculturist Muhammad
Ali told BSS that farmers can harvest and clean Boro paddy of one acre land
using combine harvester machine in an hour spending Taka 3,000, including all
costs.
“However, the farmers generally spend Taka 6,000 for harvesting and
cleaning Boro rice on one acre of land by engaging labourers,” he said,
adding that use of combine harvester machines reduces 50 percent harvesting
costs for Boro rice.