Cultivation of potato, maize on same land sees success
Farmers in Nagarpur upazila of Tangail have achieved success in growing potato and maize together on the same land.
The integrated approach suggested by the Department of Agricultural Extension has greatly reduced the time and cost of cultivation. As such, farmers are becoming increasingly interested in this approach.
Masud Miah, a farmer of Naipara village in Goihata union, said he first planted potato as per the advice of local agriculture officials.
He then planted maize on the same field about a month later.
"This has helped greatly reduce input costs, including that of fertiliser," Masud said.
Besides, potato yields have been good due to favourable weather.
"So, I have benefitted more as the tuber's current market price is also good. In the future, I will cultivate potato and maize in the same manner on a larger piece of land," he added.
Seeing the success of farmers like Masud, many other locals have become interested to try this method of cultivation, according to agriculture officials.
Abdul Matin Biswas, agriculture officer of Nagarpur upazila, said maize cultivation is growing in the region.
"We saw that farms in Manikganj are cultivating red amaranth alongside maize an associate crop. Inspired by this, we asked local growers to cultivate potato with maize and yields have been satisfactory," he added.
Farmers need to keep free space between the rows of potato and maize plants when using this method, which also improves yields by protecting against pest attacks.
"If this integrated system is extended, farmers will get the opportunity to harvest potatoes and maize together about four-and-a-half months after sowing," he added.
Agriculture officials are regularly monitoring fields and provide advice on land management to farmers in a bid to expand the use of this system for its considerable profitability.
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