SYLHET, Nov 14: A research by the academics at the Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) says early farming of short-duration paddy could save the crop from the risk of early flood in vast haor region.
The research says the early flood generally takes place in the last week of April or in May putting Boro crop on risk.
In this case, the research suggests strategic measures may reduce the threat.
National Agriculture Technology Programme-II (NATP-II) of the Bangladesh Krishi Gobeshona Council provided financial assistance to the Agriculture Extension Education Department of the university for the research.
The research shows short-duration, mature plants and early sowing would give a better yield in short time.
If the process can be followed, around 75 per cent of ripe paddy can be harvested before the flood, the researchers said.
BINA-10, Bina-14, Bina-18, BRRI-28, BRRI-58 and BRRI-81 are the short-duration but high-yielding.
Farmers can start farming these varieties in the first week of January for averting flood risks. Such farmers would be able to harvest in the first week of April, well ahead of possible rains or early floods.
Besides, they can cultivate longer-duration varieties like BRRI- Dhan-29, Brri Dhan-81 on higher plots on the haor for harvesting in three months while varieties like Bina Dhan-14 and BRRI Dhan-28 on lower lands, the researchers suggest.
Even in case of late sowing, the farmers can use 35 to 40-day plants for safe farming.
If the farmers complete planting by January 07 on haor lands, they can go for harvest in the first week of April, the research proved.
Bina Dhan-14 harvest is easily possible in 130 days while per hectare yield stood at 6.2 tonnes.
Prof Dr Ashraful Islam, chief researcher of the project, said, "Through a coordinated management of Boro farming with varietal shift on the haor region, we can ensure its safe harvest and reduce crop loss due to early flood."
It would also help improving the haor people's living standard, he added.
About 850,000 hectares of land in seven haor districts are used for Boro farming every year, but often early floods and excess rains cause huge damage to the crop.
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