ZCZC
BSS-08
AUS RICE-CULTIVATION (with picture)
Bumper Aus rice production likely in Rangpur region
RANGPUR, July 03, 2018 (BSS)-A bumper Aus rice production is likely in
Rangpur agriculture region where farmers have exceeded their fixed farming
target by over 55 percent this season.
Officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said a proper
implementation of the government’s various pragmatic steps, including
distribution of incentives, inspired the farmers in enhancing Aus rice
cultivation.
The government has fixed a target of bringing 26,159 heaters of land under
Aus rice cultivation to produce 68,969 tonnes of clean Aus rice for Rangpur,
Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts of the region this
season.
“The enthusiastic farmers have cultivated Aus rice on 40,618 hectares of land
exceeding the fixed farming target by 14,459 hectares or 55.27 percent this
time,” said horticulture specialist of the DAE at its regional office
Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam.
He said the present pro-farmer government distributed special incentives to
8,000 farmers who got 5 kg Aus rice seed, 20 kg urea, 10 kg DAP and 10 kg MoP
and Taka 500 for irrigating Aus rice field on one bigha of land each this
time.
“Besides, 300 beneficiary farmers got 5 kg Nerico Aus rice seed, 20 kg urea,
10 kg DAP and 10 kg MoP fertilisers, Taka 500 for irrigating Aus rice field
and Taka 500 for weed control on one bigha land each,” Islam added.
DAE Deputy Director Md Moniruzzaman said distribution of special incentives,
motivational activities and technical assistance inspired the farmers in
increasing cultivation of less irrigation water consuming Aus rice crop.
The farmers have already harvested early varieties of Aus rice on 12,541
hectares (30.87 percent of the cultivated land area) producing 38,000 tonnes
of clean Aus rice with an average yield rate of 3.03 tonnes per hectare.
“Currently, Aus rice cultivated on 12.20 percent of the total cultivated land
area is at the tillering stage, 10.70 percent at panicle initiation stage,
4.47 percent at booting stage, 3.45 percent at flowering stage, 5.24 percent
at milking stage, 16.48 percent at dough stage and 16.58 percent at the
ripening stage,” he said.
He said cultivation of short duration Aus rice during the off-season between
Boro harvest and T-Aman seedling transplantation is regaining popularity to
increase rice production reducing pressure on underground water for ensuring
the country’s food security.
BSS/SPL/MI/AKM 1252hrs