Md. Abdul Quddus,
Shahjadpur (Sirajganj) Correspondent:
In Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, known as the mustard state, maize has been cultivated on more land than the target this season. The bumper yield of maize and good market price have brought smiles to the faces of farmers. Due to favorable weather conditions and interest in modern agricultural technology, maize cultivation is increasing in this region every year as it is more profitable with less effort and less cost. There are fewer problems with insects and spiders in this crop, and the maize plants and pods can be silaged and used as cattle feed, so the interest of farmers in maize cultivation is increasing day by day.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, corn was cultivated on 40 hectares of land in this upazila in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which was 35 hectares in the last fiscal year. This crop can be harvested within just four months of sowing the seeds. Sandy loamy soil is quite suitable for corn cultivation. Corn can be grown by sowing the seeds with the necessary organic fertilizers and a little irrigation and care. 40-42 maunds of corn of Padma-55, Syngenta NH-7720, KMHB-410 and Major 3355 varieties are produced per bigha. As a result, the cost of production is very low. Since there are fewer problems with insects in corn cultivation, corn can be cultivated with great peace of mind.
Ansar Ali, a maize farmer from Char-Bashuriya village, said, "I have been cultivating maize for the past few years. This year, I cultivated maize on 6 bighas of land. I will get the expected yield. Currently, maize is being sold in the market at a rate of 1200-1300 taka per maund. We are profitable because of the good price of maize. Besides, maize trees and mocha are used as cooking fuel for the family. There has been a good yield as there is no significant attack of insects in maize cultivation. Therefore, we will make a profit of at least 28-30 thousand taka per bigha in maize cultivation, excluding everything else. After maize cultivation, we can safely cultivate jute and sesame.
Talking to maize farmer Lalon Molla, it was also learned that this time the weather was favorable and there was no significant attack of insects in maize cultivation, so there was a good harvest. The cost of cultivating maize per bigha is 15-17 thousand taka. Depending on the type, half-ripened maize is being sold at 30-35 thousand taka per bigha. Since there is a huge demand for maize silage as cattle feed in the market, wholesalers buy it from the fields and pack it. As a result, I hope to be able to plant Boro rice again on the maize-cultivated land.
Shahjadpur Upazila Agriculture Officer and Agriculturist Jerin Ahmed said that this year, maize is being cultivated on 40 hectares of land in the upazila. The yield of the developed maize varieties Padma-55, Syngenta NH-7720, KMHB-410 and Major 3355 is high. Maize farmers are happy because the market price is good. Due to this, farmers are also interested in maize cultivation. In addition, the Agriculture Office has provided all kinds of advice, including training, to farmers to encourage maize cultivation. He hopes that if there is no disaster this year, the yield will be higher than the target.
Dr. Billal Hossain, Animal Resources Officer of Shahjadpur Upazila, said that corn silage has become known as a very nutritious cow feed. Feeding corn silage eliminates the need for granular feed. This reduces the cost of food for farmers and the farmers benefit.
