High rates tempt farmers to cultivate more Boro
Farmers are showing an inclination towards cultivating more Boro paddy this year, tempted by higher rates prevailing available in the market.
Even so, costs of labour, territory lease, seed and fertiliser also have increased in comparison to that of last year, dampening their desires.
Consider the instance of Khaja Mia of Milkipur village under Shibganj upazila of the northwest Bogura district.
The 48-year-old farmer doubled his cultivation area to 10 bighas of land following the Aman paddy he lately harvested fetched large prices in comparison to what he got the last time around.
Mia said he cut back on potato cultivation this season as seed prices had opted up and instead planted more Boro.
"I hope to acquire a good selling price on Boro paddy like Aman paddy this year," he said.
The Section of Agricultural Extension (DAE) aims to possess 48 lakh hectares of land under Boro paddy cultivation this season, up nearly one % from 47.62 lakh hectares the previous year, showed info from the DAE and Bangladesh Bureau of Figures.
The DAE said it witnessed an excellent response from farmers as acreage of seedbeds of Boro seedlings exceeded a targeted 263,000 hectares.
"Farmers seem to be happy and so are showing interest on developing Boro paddy this season," said DAE Director Standard Md Asadullah.
He said the federal government was as well providing incentives totaling Tk 76 crore to inspire farmers to improve cultivation of hybrid rice this season.
Under the initiative, the DAE provides two kilogrammes (kg) of hybrid seeds for cultivation per bigha of territory to improve hybrid coverage to 11 lakh hectares in this Boro cultivation season from 9 lakh hectares the prior year.
"We want to ensure surplus development of rice," he said.
The thrust on increased acreage of hybrid, that provides higher yield than improved varieties, comes at a time when prices of the staple grain are ranging high.
Rates of coarse grain, the least expensive in comparison to medium and great grains, was up 46 % to Tk 45-Tk 50 per kg found in Dhaka city market segments yesterday from Tk 30-Tk 35 this past year, showed info of the Trading Company of Bangladesh.
Rates of paddy also raised. And the result of higher rates of the staple grain will be also being experienced by farmers.
Farmer Abdur Rouf Mondal of Gobindaganj upazila under Gaibandha district had been growing paddy on 20 bighas of his land. He offers added another 10 bighas to it on lease.
"But prices of everything is certainly going up daily," he explained, citing that it had occurred regarding seeds.
The farmer also alleged that he previously to get 50 kgs of triple super phosphate fertiliser at Tk 1,400 through the potato plantation period this season, which was up from Tk 1,100 this past year.
The expense of labour has also gone up by 25 per cent to Tk 500 now from Tk 400 the prior year.
"I am in a bit of a problem over cultivating paddy on more territory this season," he said.
While leasing out the territory, the landowners are demanding considerably more this year. Rent was only Tk 400 per decimal for just two crops last year.
It increased 25 per cent to Tk 500 per decimal this season, said Abdul Hamid Mondal, another farmer of Gobindaganj.
