Aman rice seedling transplantation begins in Rangpur region

Transplantation of seedlings of Transplanted Aman (T-Aman) rice has already begun in the Rangpur agriculture region where the process will get full momentum by this month-end.

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said the government has fixed a target of producing about 18.08 lakh tonnes of clean Aman rice (about 27.12 lakh tonnes of paddy) from over 6.15 lakh hectares of land for the region.

The target includes the production of 15,47,403 tonnes of high-yielding varieties of Aman rice from 5,32,115 hectares of land, and 2,24,765 tonnes of hybrid varieties of Aman rice from 64,035 hectares and 35,748 tonnes of local varieties of Aman rice from 19,535 hectares of land.

Meanwhile, farmers have so far prepared Aman rice seedbeds on 32,080 hectares of land against the requirement of preparing the same on 30,469 hectares of land for cultivation of the crop on the targeted 6,15,685 hectares of land area in the region.

“Farmers have already transplanted Aman rice seedlings on 6,388 hectares of land till Tuesday in all five districts of the region,” Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region Agriculturist Md. Emdad Hossain Sheikh said.

The government has taken special steps to ensure the use of high-quality seeds, prepare model seedbeds and ensure balanced fertilisation and adoption of improved technologies to enhance rice production despite the lessening of cultivable land area.

“Considering the possibility of further floods this season, we have taken special measures to prepare more seedbeds, if required, so that the farming process of Aman rice was not affected under any circumstances in the region,” he said.

Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), Barind Multipurpose Development Authorities (BMDA) and farmers have kept irrigation pumps ready to operate for Aman rice seedling transplantation in case of less rainfall or droughts.

“Field-level agriculture officials of the DAE are providing necessary assistance and latest technologies to farmers to ensure successful cultivation of Aman rice across the region,” Hossain said.

Besides, ample steps have been taken to prepare late varieties of Aman rice seedbeds on highlands and floating seedbeds in low-lying areas so that there was no crisis of seedlings for floods, if any, during July and August months this season.

“Enthusiastic farmers are transplanting Amn rice seedlings alongside preparing croplands for transplantation of seedlings in all five districts of the region where a favourable climate condition is prevailing for the purpose,” Hossain added.

Farmers Ariful Haque Batul of village Najirdigar and Manik Miah of village Darshona in Rangpur Sadar said they have already prepared seedbeds and will begin transplantation of Aman rice seedlings on their croplands from next week.