Mohanpur farmers expect bumper Aman yield

RAJSHAHI, Nov 4: The farmers in Mohanpur upazila of the district are expecting a bumper production of Aman paddy this season due to excellent growth of the paddy plants in the fields, favourable weather and timely advice of the local agriculture officials to control pest attack.
Now, the farmers are passing busy times in taking care of their fields. They are expecting at least 20 maunds of paddy from per bigha of land.
While visiting different villages- Ghasigram, Belna, Gochahat, Athray, Shyampur, Bidirpur, Chawk Alam, Mormoil, Amraill, Shibpur, Kuthibari, Melandi, Bedejul, Bishahara and some other areas of the upazila, this correspondent found that huge lands have been brought under Aman paddy cultivation this season. A scenic view has been created with the well-grown plants of the paddy across the areas.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi, a total of 75,330 hectares of land have been brought under Aman cultivation across nine upazilas of the district this year, but the target was 70,224 ha. Of those, a total of 2,300 ha of land have been brought in Mohanpur upazila, said sources.
While talking to The Daily Observer, Mizanur Rahman, an Aman paddy grower of Gochagram said, "I cultivated Aman in 12 bighas of land this season. The plants have grown well in the field due to favourable weather. I am hoping to get 20 to 22 maunds of paddy from per bigha of land with fair market price this season."
Another farmer Aynal Haque of Shibpur village said, "This year there was adequate rainfall; so the paddy plants have grown well. I cultivated Aman in three bighas of land this year. I am expecting a bumper production this time."
Mobarak Ali, another farmer of Nuriakhetra village under Mohanpur upazila said, "I have brought four bighas of land under Aman cultivation this year. I did not have to spend extra for irrigation since there was adequate rainfall. Besides, the upazila agricultural office has taken a vast programme to control different pests including the brown grasshopper this year."
 Naim Uddin of Melandi village in Mohanpur upazila said, "Though the paddy grew well in the first stage but the plants were attacked by current pest in the last stage. It may reduce production in my field this season."
Mohanpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Rahima Khatun said, the farmers here are going to achieve bumper Aman production this season as the weather was favourable and the agriculture officers provided the farmers with timely advice on pest control.
Officer of the DAE here Debu Dali said, "The farmers here brought more lands under Aman cultivation this year than the previous year, and have exceeded the cultivation target."
He further said, "There was adequate rainfall this season. Besides, there was less attack of insects in the fields. If the weather remains favourable till the final stage, the farmers would get a bumper Aman production this year."