Maize farming boon for poor

Maize farming is a blessing for the Teesta river basin char people of five upazilas as it helps them overcome their poverty.

Five years ago, Sahedul Islam, 43, of char Dawabari in Hatibandha upazila, was fighting with poverty.

“I learnt about maize farming five years ago, and it has been a blessing as I am getting unexpected profit,” he said. “I grow maize on 11 bighas of my land and vegetables and spices on one bigha,” he said.

“Now, I can save money after fulfilling my family's needs,” he said, adding that many families in char areas are now well-off.

Nasirul Islam, 48, of char Sindurna, said they spend Tk 2,500 to Tk 3,000 for farming maize on one bigha of land and get 25 to 32 maunds. Each maund is sold at Tk 450 to Tk 550. “We also earn around Tk 5,000 from selling maize sticks and cone (mocha) of maize from each bigha,” he said.

“We do not need to use much chemical fertiliser and pesticide on a maize field,” said Delowar Hossain, 55, of Bhotmari in Kaliganj upazila. “Maize farming has changed our lifestyle,” he added.

Lalmonirhat Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Head Assistant Khurshid Alam said maize was cultivated on 26,350 hectares of land last year, of which one third was on Teesta char areas, adding that more lands have been targeted this year.

Hatibandha Agriculture Officer Anowar Hossain said farmers are farming maize since the first week of November and it will continue till the first week of December.

“DAE officials provide technical input for farming maize on char lands,” he said.