Maize growers eye bumper yield in Jamuna basin areas

Farmers of the Jamuna basin areas under Shariakandi, Sonatola and Dhunat upazilas of the district are very happy as they are expecting a bumper maize crop this year.

Sales-centres and service centres have been set up in the areas for giving suggestion to farmers and for buying the produce at a good price.

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said around 2, 000 hectares of land have been brought under maize cultivation in the three upazilas, targeting 22,314 tonnes of maize production, which might be exceeded.

900M, 900Gold, SK-40, Miracle, BARI-07, Don-11 and other varieties of hybrid maize have been cultivated in  the char areas for ensuring bumper production of maize, added the sources.

 Khairul Mondal, a farmer of Sonpocha char, said he planted maize on his 15 bighas of land spending around Tk 1 lakh. He is expecting to harvest around 500-600 maunds this year. He hopes to sell the produce at Tk 400-500 per maund, earning a profit of around Tk 1.5 lakh.

Like him, Anis Mondal cultivated maize on 14 bighas, Ansar Ali on 12 bighas and Azizar Sheikh on 20 bighas of land in the same char. They are hopeful of getting bumper crop and huge profit in the current season.

Md Rabiul Hasan, market development coordinator of Market for Chars, said they have been working in the char areas to develop the market system and to ensure good price for the farmers.

Salahuddin Sardar, upazila agriculture officer of Sonatola, said proper advice on seed and fertiliser selection, timely nursing and, above all, regular field-level visits by the DAE officials with the help of RDA and some local NGOs, have made the dreams of the farmers, come true.