There is no shortage of workers to harvest paddy in the Haor region as similar steps have been taken this year also as last year for harvesting paddy in the Haor region.
Workers have been taken from different districts, including the northern part of the country, in compliance with health norms.
Agriculture Minister Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque made the remarks at a meeting to review the implementation progress of Annual Development Project (ADP) virtually on Thursday.
The minister called upon everyone to come forward to cut paddy in compliance with the health rules and to cooperate in this regard from their respective positions.
Razzaque said, “Haor has enough workers and equipment to harvest paddy. At the same time adequate paddy harvesting equipment including combine harvester, reaper has been allotted there. About 40 percent of the paddy in the Haor has already been harvested.”
“We have tried our best to increase the production of paddy this year than at any time in the past. To bring more land under cultivation, importance was given to cultivation of improved varieties and hybrid varieties of paddy. Various incentives including seeds and fertilizers have been given to the farmers,” added the minister.
“Incentives of Tk 76 crore have been given to farmers for seed support of hybrid paddy. Besides, the field level officers and workers of the agriculture department have worked hard at the risk of their lives during the coronavirus period, staying by the side of the farmers. They encouraged farmers to cultivate new improved varieties of paddy and provided technical assistance,” said Abdur Razzaque.
“As a result of these initiatives, Boro paddy has been planted in more than 120,000 hectares of land this year as compared to last year. At the same time, hybrid cultivation has increased in more than 3 lakh hectares of land as compared to last year. It is expected that the Boro will produce 9 to 10 lakh tonnes more this year than the last year,” he further said.
The meeting was conducted by the ministry’s senior secretary Md Mesbahul Islam. Project officials including senior officials of the ministry and the heads of the organizations were present at the time.
