Gopalganj farmers busy preparing Boro seedbeds

Farmers in different areas of Gopalganj are busy preparing Boro seedbeds with an expectation to get a bumper production of the crop this season, officials and farmers said.

The sources said the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target of seeding 4,027.5 hectares of land in five upazilas of the Gopalganj district with the aim of increasing Boro paddy cultivation. Farmers have sown boro paddy on 4,341 hectares of land this season exceeding the target.

Transplantation of seedlings has recently begun in some areas of the district. Many farmers are selling their excess seedlings in the market.

Gopalganj DAE Deputy Director Dr Arvind Kumar Roy said, “We have set a target of seeding 4,027.5 hectares of land to increase Boro paddy cultivation this year. This year, farmers have exceeded the target by 314.5 hectares.”

Out of this, 1,285 hectares are in Gopalganj Sadar Upazila, 682 hectares are in Muksudpur, 210 hectares are in Kashiani, 1,650 hectares are in Kotalipara and 514 hectares are in Tungipara upazila.

The official also said that the target of Boro paddy cultivation has been set at 80,546 hectares of land in the district. Plantation has already started in all upazilas.

So far transplantation has been done on 225 hectares in Gopalganj Sadar upazila, 115 hectares in Muksudpur, 250 hectares in Kashiani, 934 hectares in Kotalipara and 1,450 hectares in Tungipara.

Arvind Kumar further said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the countrymen to cultivate all the uncultivated fallow lands across the country. She has given instructions that not even an inch of land should remain vacant.”

“Under the direction of the Prime Minister, we have motivated the farmers to increase crop production. We expect the cultivation target in the district will also be exceeded,” he added.

Farmer Hemayet Uddin Khondkar of Gopinathpur village of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila said, “I have prepared Boro seedbeds on 25 decimals of land this season. I have started planting the seedlings. I plan to cultivate boro paddy on 2.5 acres of land this year.”

He added that he has also been selling his excess seedlings in the market for a good price.

Kotalipara upazila agricultural officer agriculturist Nitul Roy said the farmers were given seeds and fertiliser as incentives.

“We have also trained the farmers and provided demonstration and advice as necessary. The farmers are working hard to expand cultivation as per the Prime Minister’s directives.”

Harekrishna Sikdar, 58, a farmer of Machartara village of Kotalipara upazila, said “We will increase the production of crops by growing rice and vegetables on waterlogged and fallow land. We are working towards that goal under the direction of the Agriculture Department.”