The dream of the farmers has been lifted by the waves of the green sea like Aman paddy all over the vast fields of Barisal, one of the biggest food stores of the country. Farmers in the region are expecting bumper yields of Aman paddy this season.
According to the District Agriculture Extension Department, Aman Paddy has been planted in additional 695 hectares of land than the target in the district. Babul Hawlader, a farmer from Ghatkerchar village in Chandpasha union of Babuganj upazila, said he has cultivated Ropa-Aman paddy on 20 acres of land. He has spent about four thousand Tk on fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, field preparation and various other expenses. He said that he would be able to bring home about ten mounds of paddy if the fields are not affected by any disaster. In the current market, paddy is being sold at the rate of one thousand Tk per mound.
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Officials in charge of the district agricultural extension department said there are two varieties of Aman. One of them is Ufshi, the other is local variety Aman paddy. The target for Aman cultivation was set at 1 lakh 24 thousand 150 hectares of land in 10 upazilas of the district. Of this, 1 lakh 24 thousand 845 hectares have been planted. Which is 695 hectares more than the target.
The total target for Aman cultivation in Barisal Sadar Upazila this year was 15,400 hectares, planted in 15,430 hectares. The total target for planting Aman in Babuganj upazila was 9,555 hectares. Nine thousand 700 hectares have been planted. The target in Uzirpur upazila was 7,600 hectares. Seven thousand 75 hectares have been planted. The total target in Bakerganj upazila was 26,100 hectares. A total of 26,600 hectares have been planted. The total target for Gournadi Upazila was set at 6,900 hectares. Planted in 6,650 hectares. In Agailjhara upazila the target was set at 610 hectares and 600 hectares have been planted. In Muladi upazila, the target was set at 14,200 hectares and 14,250 hectares have been planted. The target in Hijla upazila was 13,430 hectares and 13,720 hectares have been planted. In Mehendiganj upazila the target was set at 23,120 hectares and 23,100 hectares have been planted. In Banaripara upazila, the target was set at 5,410 hectares and 5,550 hectares have been planted. In Barisal metropolitan area, the target was set at 625 hectares of land, planted in 510 hectares.
Gournadi Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer Mamunur Rahman said, "As per the instructions of the concerned senior officers, we are maintaining constant communication at the field level so that the farmers do not have to face any problem." I have been warning the farmers not to apply excessive fertilizers and pesticides. On the contrary, light traps are being used to control insects.”
Sabina Yasmin, Additional Deputy Director, Barisal Agriculture Extension Department, said that Aman has been planted on 695 hectares more land than the target this season. If there is no natural disaster, the farmers will benefit a lot this time. The vast fields are filled with the green dream of the farmer.