JAMALPUR: The farmers have been showing keen interest in maize cultivation this season in the district encouraged by the excellent economic return from cultivating the crop in recent years, reports BSS. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office sources said a total of 8,358 hectares of land have been brought under the maize cultivation which is 978 hectares more than the last year. As the cultivation has been increased, 7,824 tonnes more maize will be produced than the last year, the office said. Of the total, 200 hectares of land have been brought under the cultivation in Sadar upazila, 650 hectares in Sarishabari, 178 hectares in Melandah, 1,300 hectares in Islampur, 4,900 hectares in Dewanganj, 180 hectares in Madarganj and 950 hectares in Bakshiganj upazila. The production target was fixed by the department is 8 tonnes from per hectare of land.