Growing Boro paddy seedlings in plastic trays on rooftops and backyards is becoming popular in Jhenidah’s Shailkupa upazila, with farmers vouching that this method saves both time and cost.

Around 20 farmers in the upazila have prepared paddy seedbeds in plastic trays this season.

College teacher Khabir Uddin of Taminagar area in Shailkupa municipality is one such person. Following the inspiration and advice from sub-assistant agriculture officer (SAAO) Tuhin, Khabir has planted 150 Boro seedbeds in plastic trays kept on the fifth-floor roof his house. He has put in 12 kg of paddy seeds in the trays placed across a 700-square-feet space.

Khabir plans to transplant the seedbeds later on his 12 bigha land earmarked for paddy cultivation.

Mitul Hossain of Gusaidanga and Robiul of Vatbaria village have also prepared 150 to 160 such Boro seedbeds.

According to the agriculture officer, saplings usually require 40-45 days to be ready for transplantation if they are grown in traditional seedbeds in the field. However, paddy saplings in plastic trays take only 20-25 days to get ready for transplantation.

Tuhin said farmers in Shailkupa have been using this technology for the past three years.

He explained that the life span of SL8 paddy is 140-145 days.

However, paddy plants take a fixed period of 60 days from the PI stage till the end. The seedlings grown in trays get 20-25 days more to extract nutrients from the soil, resulting in matured and healthier plants. These provide better yields when harvested.

These saplings can be transplanted easily by a rice transplantor, which saves a lot of time and money, or manually.

Moreover, girls and women of the household can take care of the saplings at their leisure time. Watering them in the morning, noon and evening will do.

The agriculture officer said the government provides 50 per cent subsidies to farmers to buy rice transplantors. “After all, if this system can be disseminated among the farmers, good results can be achieved,” he opined.

Shailkupa upazila agriculture officer Sanjoy Kumar Kundu said one needs to spread half an inch thick soil in the trays before sprinkling the paddy seeds. Within 20 days, the saplings grow 5–6 inches high and are ready to be transplanted.

Field-level officers of the Department of Agriculture Extension are disseminating the new technology among farmers in the upazila.

In Aus season, a lot of farmers prepare paddy seedbeds in Shailkupa as per the traditional method. In Aman season, seedbeds can be prepared by the tray system as well.

Farmers said the government should take necessary steps to boost the technology in the area.