Photo: Collected
Wheat cultivation has expanded across Rajshahi, including its vast Barind tract, with farmers expecting a promising yield this year. Favorable weather conditions, improved seed varieties and promotion of modern technologies increased wheat production in the region.
Jasim Uddin, 48, a wheat farmer of Pakuria village in Paba Upazila, has cultivated wheat on five bighas of land this season, investing approximately Taka 8,500 per bigha. Talking to BSS here Tuesday, he hopes for a cherished yield and better money after selling those in markets if the weather goes well until the harvesting ends.
Similarly, Shafiqul Islam, 54, of Bargachhi village in the same upazila, has cultivated cash crops on 15 bighas, expecting an output of 15 maunds per bigha. Local officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension provided suggestions to get more yield, he said.
Rafiqul Islam, another wheat farmer from Pukuria village under the same upazila told BSS that he got high-yielding wheat seeds and fertilizers free of cost from DAE. His cultivation expenses amounted to around Taka 8,000 per bigha, and he anticipates a yield of 15-20 maunds per bigha if weather conditions remain favorable.
Darul Hossain, 52, of Bhatupara village under Godagari Upazila, has cultivated wheat on four bighas of land and he's happy with his present farming condition. "We are using less irrigation for wheat farming compared to Boro paddy farming," he said.
Farzana Tasnim, Upazila Agriculture Officer of Paba, reported that 2,015 hectares of land in the upazila have been brought under wheat cultivation this year. She said 1,800 farmers were given seed and fertilizer free of cost in the upazila to inspire the farmers to grow grain crops cultivation. The incentives contributed a lot towards raising wheat cultivation. If the weather goes well, the production target is expected to exceed.
Rafiqul Islam, a marginalized farmer of Fulbari village under Godagari upazila, said he is very happy after getting the incentives in time.
"Wheat is profitable among other Rabi crops," said Umme Shalma, Deputy Director of DAE, adding that blast disease resistant and high yielding wheat seeds and fertilizer were given free of cost among the enlisted farmers to inspire them to farming.
She added that need-based training and suggestions were given to the farmers to make their farming more profitable and sustainable. If the weather goes well, there is a prospect of exceeding the production target.
Umme Salma said wheat has been cultivated on 93,867 hectares of land, setting a production target of 3.96 lakh tonnes in the district this year. In the previous year, around 3.89 lakh tonnes of wheat were produced from 92,842 hectares of land.
In comparison to the previous year, wheat was cultivated on more than 1,025 hectares of land this year as a result of suitable climatic and topographic conditions, she added.
She also said new wheat varieties were developed amid changing climatic conditions. Profit from wheat farming is more as its cost is less compared to rice. That's why the grassroots farmers are being inspired to wheat farming.
Excellent growth of wheat plants has created a prediction of the bumper yield of the food grain in the Rajshahi region, including its vast Barind tract, generating massive hope of ensuring the food security of people.
According to DAE data, wheat has been cultivated on 93,867 hectares of land in Rajshahi this year, with a production target of 3.96 lakh tonnes. This marks an increase from last year's 92,842 hectares, which yielded approximately 3.89 lakh tonnes. Favorable climatic conditions and improved varieties have contributed to this growth.
"We are witnessing outstanding and eye-catching wheat fields everywhere in the region by dint of suitable climatic conditions since the initial stage of the farming," said Dr Iliash Hossain, Chief Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute.
He also said that farmers' interest in wheat cultivation has risen significantly in recent years due to lower irrigation requirements and higher profitability. He noted that the latest variety, Bari-gom 33, is blast disease-resistant, zinc-enriched, and capable of yielding up to 20 maunds per bigha.
"The promotion of modern agricultural technologies is crucial for boosting wheat production in drought-prone areas," Dr. Iliash said.
He also stressed the importance of expanding wheat farming to ensure food security, as wheat consumption continues to rise in Bangladesh. Currently, the country produces only 10 lakh metric tonnes of wheat annually against a demand of around 40 lakh metric tonnes.
However, wheat fields now in the ripening stage and turning golden in color, harvesting is set to begin in the coming days, raising hopes for a bumper yield across Rajshahi.
Source: Online/GFMM
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