JOYPURHAT, June 23: More than 550 grassroots farmers in the district are growing Aus rice this season.
The farming generally starts in the Bangla month of Boishakh and Jaishtha and crop harvest begins in Shraban and Bhadra.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), vast areas of the district have been brought under Aus cultivation during the current season.
Abdul Aziz, a farmer of Panchbibi upazila, said he is growing Aus paddy on three bighas of land this season.
Aus rice cultivation is gaining popularity across the area as it needs less irrigation, fertiliser and insecticide, said sub-assistant agriculture officer Azizur Rahman.
Monowar Hossain, another farmer of Akkelpur upazila, said 14 to 15 maunds of Aus paddy can be grown on a bigha of land. Spending around Tk 3,000 to Tk 5,000, farmers can make a profit of around Tk 8,000 to Tk 9,000.
DEA officer Sudhindranath Roy said after massive motivation the farmers have started to grow Aus rice. Good production also encourages the farmers to cultivate the crop on a large scale.