Bumper aman in greater Sylhet, Natore likely

Farmers harvest early variety aman paddy at a profusely yielding field in Natore Sadar upazila. Photo: STAR

Production of aman paddy in greater Sylhet region and Natore district is likely to exceed the target this season as the weather condition has been favourable.
The farmers in four districts of Sylhet region are eyeing the prospect to recoup the losses during the last boro season as they are expecting a bumper harvest from transplanted aman (T-aman) paddy this time, reports our staff correspondent from Sylhet.
“With sufficient rain and relatively favourable weather condition, the target of 9.23 lakh tonnes of T-aman yield may exceed this season when the crop is to be harvested in December,” said Dulal Chandra Sarker, additional director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Sylhet division.
The target of T-Aman has been fixed by cultivating 3.85 lakh hectares of land in four districts -- 1.52 lakh hectares in Sylhet, 1.04 lakh hectares in Moulvibazar, 68,000 hectares in Habiganj and 60,500 hectares in Sunamganj district.
“There has been sufficient rain so far. If everything goes well we hope there may be a good crop this time,” said Abdul Monayem, a farmer of Tikorpara village in Golapganj upazila of Sylhet district.
A total of 5,000 hectares in the districts could not, however, be brought under T-aman cultivation this year due to stagnant water. Farmers could not complete farming due to stagnant water in some areas, the DAE officials admitted.
Most of the crop fields did not need irrigation as yet. Sylhet region has already experienced 15,000mm rainfall this year whereas it was 11,065mm last year, said sources at the DAE office.
During the last boro season, the region suffered a huge loss of Tk 1267 crore due to repeated floods caused by the rolling down of water from the upstream in the Indian state of Meghalaya.
Our Natore correspondent reports: A bumper production of aman is expected in Natore district during the current season as there is no natural disaster.
According to the sources, a congenial climate has been prevailing this year in the district for smooth growth of aman and other vegetables. The pest attack in the aman fields was at a minimal.
This year many low lands have also been brought under aman cultivation, the farmers of Natore districts, said. Easy availability of seeds and low cost of irrigation and fertiliser popularised aman cultivation. Farmers expect to start harvesting the crop from the next week in full swing.
The DAE sources in Natore said 54,830 hectares of land was brought under the cultivation of ropa (transplanted) aman with production target of 1, 26,630 tonnes of rice while bona (planted) amon was cultivated on 27,400 hectares of land with production target of 27,357 tonnes of rice in the district.
Delowar Hossain, deputy director of Natore DAE said favourable climatic condition, adequate supply of necessary fertilisers and pesticides are the reasons behind the bumper production.
Azadul Haq, a farmer of Bangabaria village under Sadar upazila, said, "Water crisis was the main problem this year. So we have depended on deep tube-well and shallow machines for irrigation. Extra money was spent for irrigation and fertilisers.
But price of paddy is so good. Per maund of aman paddy sold at Tk 800 to Tk 900 in the district markets. Farmers are happy at the prices.
Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank and other government and non-government banks had disbursed adequate crop loans to make the paddy cultivation a complete success in the district.
Farmers, hopeful about a bumper yield, have demanded that the government takes steps for ensuring fair price of aman paddy this season so that they do not have to face losses due to extra costs for irrigation, fertilisers and pesticides.
DAE officials said the early variety aman paddy fields are ready for harvesting.