Farmers brave heatwave to transplant Aman seedlings in Kurigram

KURIGRAM, July 18: Farmers in Phulbari Upazila of Kurigram have started transplanting Aman paddy seedlings, braving sweltering temperature as the current cultivation season gets underway.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Extension office, a target has been set to cultivate Aman paddy on 11,350 hectares of land this season.

Farmers across the upazila have already begun preparing fields and transplanting seedlings. While some are still ploughing their land, others are working long hours in knee-deep water to complete transplantation.

Agriculture officials said Aman seedlings have already been transplanted on 150 to 200 hectares of land over the past few days, with the cultivated area expected to expand steadily in the coming weeks.

Farmers said they were trying to complete transplantation as quickly as possible, depending on rainfall and the availability of irrigation. Despite the intense heat, fieldwork has continued without interruption.

Siddik Khandaker, a farmer from Kurushafurusha area, said he completed transplanting Aman seedlings on four bighas of land over the past two days.

"Two bighas were cultivated using rainwater and the remaining two with irrigation," he said.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Mosammat Nilufa Yasmin said officials were providing farmers with technical assistance and necessary advice throughout the season.

"Field-level agriculture officers are working closely with farmers to help achieve this season's cultivation target. If favourable weather continues, we expect Aman transplantation to be completed on schedule," she said.