Mahipur Irrigation Test Farm in Rangpur is working for the development of farmers in silence. In spite of various adverse conditions, different varieties of paddy including Bangabandhu paddy and black rice cultivated in the farm have got good yield in the current boro season. Under the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BAPAUBO), a grain cutting ceremony was organized at this farm on Sunday morning.
It can be seen that the yield per hectare is Bridhan-100 (Bangabandhu Paddy) 6 metric tons, Bridhan-92 8.70 metric tons, Bridhan-84 5.70 metric tons, Black Rice 5.50 metric tons, Golden Rice 5.10 metric tons and Hybrid (hybrid). Diamond-2) 6.30 metric tons. Rafiul Bari, Deputy Chief Agronomist of Bapaubo Rangpur and the beneficiary farmers of the project were present. Local farmers have also expressed satisfaction over the success of this farm located in Laxmitari Union of Gangachara Upazila.
Abdul Jalil, a farmer from Anurbazar area, Mokleshar Rahman from Naya Mia and Vijay Dam area under Mahipur Irrigation Test Farm, who were present at the harvesting ceremony, said that due to this farm, they are able to produce high yielding crops at low cost. New varieties are spreading in this area. They are also learning crop cultivation techniques through this farm.
The Mahipur Irrigation Test Farm was set up by the Bangladesh Water Development Board in 1970 under the Buritista project to increase food production in the country. Since the implementation of Buritista and Teesta Barrage Irrigation Project, modern farming techniques suitable for soil and agro-climatic conditions of the project area, cropping, crop selection and irrigation testing activities are being carried out through this irrigation test farm. In addition, farmer training activities are being carried out for the purpose of showing crop planting, field days for displaying test results, cropping activities and teaching of cultivation techniques in order to spread the results among the farmers. This is the only irrigation test farm of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (NWDB) which has been making a significant contribution to the irrigation and agricultural development of the project from the very beginning but has remained unprotected for a long time with the manifestation of manpower crisis.
According to the concerned sources, there were four agricultural exhibition farms of Bangladesh Water Development Board including Mahipur Irrigation Test Farm in Rangpur. At that time the farms in Thakurgaon, Kushtia and Satkhira were closed down due to lack of manpower.
At present the Mahipur Irrigation Test Farm is the only farm operating under the Water Development Board. Mentioning that the Mahipur Irrigation Test Farm was started on 30 acres of land, the source further said that the area of the Teesta has been reduced to nine acres at present due to the erosion of the Teesta. Besides, there are only five out of 39 approved manpower on the farm.
With which the activities of the whole farm are being conducted. In order to ensure food security even in the event of Corona epidemic, Mahipur Farm has conducted agricultural research activities to test varieties of different crops in different seasons, planting low yielding high yielding crops, monitoring Boro paddy yield through surface and underground irrigation management, soil and climate friendly crop selection tests And multidisciplinary
testing activities, including profitable grain stage determining tests.
Rafiul Bari, deputy chief agronomist in charge of the farm, said that despite various constraints including manpower crisis, the Water Development Board is conducting activities for the development of farmers through this farm alone.
In the interest of the project, various test activities are being conducted at Mahipur Irrigation Test Farm in collaboration with various organizations including Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Bangladesh Paddy Research Institute, Agricultural Research Institute, Department of Agricultural Extension. Mentioning that the paddy cultivated in Mahipur Irrigation Test Farm has got good yield as per the calculation of crop harvesting, he said, this is the first time Bangabandhu paddy and black rice have been cultivated in the farm. Due to the expected yield, the local farmers have been inspired to cultivate this paddy later.
Black rice is a special variety of rice rich in antioxidants. Black rice contains more fiber, iron, protein and other nutrients than conventional rice. The deputy chief agronomist also said that this variety of rice looks black due to the excess of a black pigment called ahyarpudhaharah.