Cox’s Bazar farmers lean towards maize farming

The farmers of Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas in Cox’s Bazar are leaning towards maize cultivation due to low production costs and high-profit margins.

The early-yielding varieties of Kharif-1 season cultivated in some areas have already started to fruit and the farmer expects to begin harvesting soon.

The demand for maize is on the rise as a popular poultry and fish feed as well as a nutritious food for humans.

Farmers are leaning towards maize cultivation instead of paddy, bringing new momentum to the agricultural economy of the area. Some farmers have taken up multi-cropping alongside maize further improving their financial situation.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources, due to favourable weather conditions and modern agricultural technology, farmers are likely to get a bumper harvest of maize this season.

Including seeds, irrigation, fertilisers, pesticides and maintenance cost, maize cultivation costs Tk 40,000-50,000 per 120 decimals of land. About 80-90 maunds of maize can be harvested from the land.

Farmers sell maize for Tk 1,000-1,200 per maund, making a good amount of profit within a short period of time.

During a recent spot visit to the fields, this correspondent found the vast fields of Madarbonia, Chhepotkhali and Monkhali villages of Ukhiya and Shamlapur, Shilkhali, Jahazapura, Hazompara, Noakhalipara villages of Teknaf full of half and fully grown maize plants.

The farmers are currently busy tending their crops including weeding and irrigation of the maize fields. Early-yielding varieties have already started to fruit in some areas.

Noor Ahmad of Jahazapura village said the cost of production in boro farming is very high, but the prices fall during the harvesting season due to which the farmers face severe losses. “But as the cost of production of maize is low, the price is also high all throughout the year farmers are inclined towards maize cultivation recently.”

Amir Hossain of Monkhali village said he cultivated maize on about 120 decimals of land this year.

“Maize farming is less labour-intensive than other crops. I hope to get a good profit in a short amount of time as the price is good,” he said.

District DAE sources said the government is distributing incentives to expand maize cultivation and boost the agro-economy of the region. Besides, many farmers are also getting incentives for field exhibitions. Under the incentive, each farmer has been given two kg of maize seed, 20 kg of DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) and 10 kg of MOP (Muriate of Potash) fertilisers free of cost.

Many farmers were allotted exhibition plots for maize cultivation under the National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) scheme of the revenue sector. The beneficiaries received fertilisers, pesticides, and signboards along with cash for cultivation and maintenance.

According to Cox’s Bazar District Agriculture Officer Md Kabir Hossain, maize is a profitable crop. Moreover, farmers are getting interested in maize cultivation due to more profit in less time.

“The sustainability and cultivation of this crop will increase to a greater extent if the farmers are made aware of the multi-purpose use of maize other than poultry feeds. The government is taking initiatives to expand maize cultivation further,” he said.