GOPALGANJ, July 10: The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Gopalganj has taken a programme of Aus cultivation on 3,500 hectares of land in the district this season.
According to DAE official sources, 1,300 hectares of Upashi variety and 2,200 hectares of local variety where provable production target at 5,062 tonnes where about 40,000 farmers in the district involved in this farming.
Samir Kumar Gowshami, Deputy Director (DD), Agriculture, Gopalganj told the FE that to cultivate Aus they supply fertilisers, pesticides with necessary Agri-inputs to the farmers. BADC distributed high quality seeds among the farmers.
Obaidur Molla (50) of village Sibgati under Mahespur union of Kasiani upazila in Gopalganj told the FE that he cultivated origin local variety Aus paddy on one acre of land spending Tk 10,000. "The growth condition of it is satisfactory if the weather condition is remain unchanged but I got above 20 maunds of paddy from it which market price is Tk 18,000," Obaidur said.
Mamun Kazi (42), another farmer of same village in Kasiani of the district said, he cultivated local variety Aus paddy on one bigha (52 decimal) of land. This year the condition of its growth is good and I got above 10 maunds of paddy from its produce. One stage Mamun said, Aus paddy cultivation is more profitable than other crops which farmers can harvest in a short duration from its planting, Mamun said.
Rashamay Mondal, Upazila Agriculture Officer (UAO), Kasiani said, about 500 hectares of land have been brought under Aus cultivation this year where about 25,00 farmers involved in this farming and the condition of growth is satisfactory and farmers can start harvest of this crop very soon, UAO said.
Bangaldesh Krishi Bank (BKB) and others commercial bank, Gopalganj are distributing short term loan to the farmers of the district for cultivation of Aus Paddy, sources said.
