GOPALGANJ, Mar 18: Farmers of Gopalganj Sadar are expecting a plentiful production of SL-8H, a Boro variety, this season.
According to Sadar upazila agriculture office sources, a total of 21,600 hectares of land have been brought under SL-8H paddy cultivation with the production target of 0.16 million tones.
The DAE officials said about 38,000 farmers are engaged with the farming of the super hybrid Boro rice.
Jafor Mollah of South Gobra village he is growing Boro SL-8H on one bigha of land this year.
The farmer expressed the hope of getting about 55 maunds of production from the field.
Another farmer of the area Milton Daria said he is growing the Boro variety on 78 decimals of land.
"My highest expenditure may stand Tk 30,000 and I hope to get around 80 maunds of yield. I expect to make Tk 56,000 net profit this season", he added.
Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer of South Gobra Block Parbati Bairagi said SL-8H Boro farming requires high cost but ensures healthy return.
About 55 maunds of paddy production can be possible from one bigha of land. Harvest can be possible after 150 to 155 days of cultivation, she added.
Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Mizanur Rahman said SL-8H paddy cultivation should be expand across the country for high crop production.
Our correspondent from Bogura adds: Boro seedlings transplantation is close to the end in the district.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) official sources said they expect to complete paddy harvest before starting the rainy season. The growers are already provided necessary inputs so that they could cultivate the crop without any hassle.
A total of 145 deep tube-wells, 165 low lift pumps and 65 shallow tube-wells have been kept fully operative in all the 12 upazilas of the district.
Some 0.2 million hectares of land have been brought under the production of Boro in the district this season, the officials added.
"We are expecting over 0.8 million of Boro yield. The plants are growing well amid a favourable weather", the officials further said.