Boro farming progressing fast in Khulna region

Boro paddy cultivation is progressing in full swing in four districts of the Khulna agricultural region, braving winter chill and fog across the area, including the coastal belt, with farmers hopeful of achieving their targeted yield.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target to bring a total of 264,719 hectares of land under Boro cultivation this year, with a production target of 1,210,283 metric tonnes of rice.

Last year, the DAE fixed a cultivation target of 257,020 hectares, with a production target of 1,138,871 metric tonnes.

Farmers are now busy preparing land and seedbeds, as full-scale seedling transplantation is expected to begin within the next couple of days.

Boro rice transplantation in the Khulna division, particularly in the coastal belt, usually begins in early January and continues through February, peaking in mid-January.

According to DAE sources, both traditional manual transplantation and mechanical rice transplanters are being used, with the latter gaining popularity in some areas.

In Khulna district, Boro saplings have already been transplanted on 28,075 hectares of land against the target of 66,000 hectares, with a production target of 315,060 metric tonnes.

In Bagerhat, Boro cultivation has covered 35,800 hectares against the target of 67,622 hectares, with a production target of 323,572 metric tonnes. In Satkhira, 55,435 hectares have been cultivated against the target of 80,800 hectares, aiming to produce 341,443 metric tonnes of rice, while in Narail, 23,240 hectares have been cultivated against the target of 50,297 hectares, with a production target of 230,208 metric tonnes.

Farmers are using modern, high-yielding and drought-tolerant varieties such as BRRI dhan 28, 29, 48, 58, 74, 84, 89, 92 and 100, while taking protective measures to safeguard seedbeds from cold weather.

Sources said that the cultivation of short-duration and drought-tolerant varieties is increasing, as these varieties ensure good yields with comparatively less irrigation.

Md Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director of the DAE in Khulna region, said the weather remains favourable and cultivation is progressing rapidly to meet the targets ahead of schedule.

Following the instruction of Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Zahangir Alam Chowdhury that not even an inch of arable land should be kept fallow, farmers are being encouraged to bring all fallow land under cultivation. There is no irrigation crisis so far, and government incentives have increased farmers' interest in Boro farming, he added.

Islam said field-level agriculture officials, researchers and scientists are introducing high-yielding varieties directly to farmers to help boost production.

Shamsher Ali, a farmer from Kadamtala village under Dumuria upazila, said he has prepared seedbeds on 40 decimals of land to cultivate Boro paddy on 25 bighas this season.

He said he has adopted preventive measures to protect the seedbeds from cold-related complications and has been transplanting seedlings since last week.

Farmers at the grassroots level said better yields and fair market prices in recent seasons have encouraged them to intensify Boro cultivation, contributing significantly to food security in the region.

To ensure smooth Boro cultivation, necessary measures have been taken to ensure the supply of fertiliser, insecticide and other agricultural inputs, along with uninterrupted electricity by West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd and rural electrification authorities, said a DAE official.