RAJSHAHI, Jan 16, 2021 (BSS)- Agricultural scientists and researchers have
urged the farmers to promote the less-water consuming crops in the Barind
area to improve their livelihood condition through reducing the gradually
mounting pressure on its underground.
Farming cost of the less-irrigation consuming cereal crops like wheat,
maize and pulses is less than the Irri-Boro paddy so utmost emphasis should
be given on boosting the acreage of the crops.
The experts came up with the observation while addressing a daylong
farmers training through disseminating their expertise on the issue in
Rajshahi on Friday.
The On Farm Research Division (OFRD) of Bangladesh Agriculture Research
Institute (BARI) hosted the training at its conference hall under the
‘Livelihood improvement of farmers through integrated farming system research
and development of drought and rainfed ecosystem project’.
Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture Komolaranjan Das
addressed the inaugural session of the training as the chief guest with OFRD
Principal Scientific Officer Dr Majharul Islam in the chair.
Director General of Bangladesh Sugar Crop Research Institute Dr Amzad
Hossain and its Director Dr Samajit Kumal Paul, OFRD Chief Scientific Officer
Dr Akkash Ali and Principal Scientific Officer of Rajshahi Fruit Research
Station Dr Alim Uddin also spoke.
The attending farmers were apprised that wheat could be cultivated on
seven to eight bighas of land with the same amount of irrigation-water needed
to irrigate one bigha of Boro rice through soil moisture utilisation and the
best uses of the modern technologies.
Wheat plays an important role in ensuring food security as its consumption
is increasing day by day. But, Bangladesh produces hardly 10 lakh tonnes of
wheat against the demand of around 40 lakh tonnes annually.
Komolaranjan Das said the water-stressed condition of the Barind area can
easily be mitigated through substantial and sustainable promoting the farming
of Aush paddy, cereal crops, vegetables and various types of both
conventional and non-conventional fruits including malta and dragon.
He urged the attending officials and researchers to put in their level
best efforts to elevate the rice production to 5.32 tonnes per hectare per
year by 2030 and collective efforts are needed to attain the cherished goal.
He said the role of the agriculture sector is very vital towards making
the country’s economy functional alongside ensuring food security. He called
upon the field level officials and researchers to discharge their duties with
utmost sincerity and honesty.
Besides, the government has attached highest priority to the agriculture
sector and added that the field level officials and researchers should take
the responsibilities of reaching the government’s services to the farmers’
doorsteps, Komolaranjan Das mentioned.
He added that large-scale promotion of bio-rational fertilizer and pest
management in fruit and vegetable farming has become crucial for boosting the
cash crops production side by side with reducing toxic chemical fertilizer
and pesticides and management of different insects and pest in the region.