Black gram production exceeds target in Manikganj

The production of black gram has exceeded target fixed by Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) as harvesting of this kind of pulse food has already been completed in all the seven upazilas of Manikganj district.

DAE office sources said a target was set to cultivate black gram (Mashkolai) on 7,000 hectares of land with a production goal of 7420 tonnes.

But the popular food item was cultivated on 7045 hectares of land and produced 7,547 tonnes, a surplus of 127 tonnes, they said.

Farmer Ahmad Ali of Charkalikapur village at Baghutia union of Daulatpur upazila said the half sandy soil of river bed areas is suitable for Mashkolail cultivation.

Habibur Rahman, another farmer of village Goalbag in Harirampur upazila said he had cultivated Mashkolai on five bighas of land and got a good yield.

He said black gram cultivation is more suitable than other crops on those sandy lands.

Without irrigation, Mashkolai grows abundantly in the river side areas of Harirampur upazila and other char areas of the district, he added.