Bumper maize production likely in Feni

Farmers here expect bumper production of maize this year due to favourable weather conditions. According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, the farmers have become interested in maize cultivation after gradually cutting down on the cultivation of pulses and wheat. They set a target of bringing 1,800 hectares of land under maize in five upazilas.

Akbor Hossain, a farmer of Nayanpur village under Daganbhuiyan upazila, told The Independent: “I have cultivated maize on 120 decimals of land. Senior DEA officials gave me technical support and high-quality seeds. I hope to get about 35–40 maunds of maize per bigha of land.” He said the market price of maize was good.  “At present, a maund of maize sells for Tk. 700 to 750. I have spent Tk 13,000 including cultivation cost, irrigation, seeds, fertilizer and labour cost,” he added.

Another grower, Anower Hossain, said at least Tk. 10,000 was required for the cultivation of wheat on one bigha of land that yields hardly 14 to 16 maunds. Yet another grower, Mozzamel, said he had been cultivating pulses for the last five years, but he cultivated maize on 10 bighas of land this season as the crop was more profitable. Land under maize farming has almost doubled in five years. Wheat farming needs optimum cold and fog for a healthy growth of plants from December to the second week of March. But the adverse impact of climate change was hampering the wheat yields for the last couple of years.

When contacted, Daganbhuiyan upazila agricultural officer  Md. Rafiul Islam told The Independent that 18 hectares were cultivated in Daganbhuiyan for demonstration by the department. The DEA gives support to maize farming and creates awareness among growers. He also said maize was rich in Vitamin A and its multi-dimensional use included the production of corn oil, which has no cholesterol and is good for heart patients.

 

 

Bumper maize production likely in Feni

Farmers here expect bumper production of maize this year due to favourable weather conditions. According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, the farmers have become interested in maize cultivation after gradually cutting down on the cultivation of pulses and wheat. They set a target of bringing 1,800 hectares of land under maize in five upazilas. Akbor Hossain, a farmer of Nayanpur village under Daganbhuiyan upazila, told The Independent: I have cultivated maize on 120 decimals of land. Senior DEA officials gave me technical support and high-quality seeds. I hope to get about 3540 maunds of maize per bigha of land. He said the market price of maize was good. At present, a maund of maize sells for Tk. 700 to 750. I have spent Tk 13,000 including cultivation cost, irrigation, seeds, fertilizer and labour cost, he added. Another grower, Anower Hossain, said at least Tk. 10,000 was required for the cultivation of wheat on one bigha of land that yields hardly 14 to 16 maunds. Yet another grower, Mozzamel, said he had been cultivating pulses for the last five years, but he cultivated maize on 10 bighas of land this season as the crop was more profitable. Land under maize farming has almost doubled in five years. Wheat farming needs optimum cold and fog for a healthy growth of plants from December to the second week of March. But the adverse impact of climate change was hampering the wheat yields for the last couple of years. When contacted, Daganbhuiyan upazila agricultural officer Md. Rafiul Islam told The Independent that 18 hectares were cultivated in Daganbhuiyan for demonstration by the department. The DEA gives support to maize farming and creates awareness among growers. He also said maize was rich in Vitamin A and its multi-dimensional use included the production of corn oil, which has no cholesterol and is good for heart patients.