Saiful Islam, Baufal (Patuakhali) Representative
In Bauphal, Patuakhali, a target of 8,503 hectares of Boro cultivation, including 20 hectares of local variety Chaita Boro, has been set for the current year. However, this target will be exceeded. Keeping in mind the adverse coastal environment and tolerable salt water, 5 kg of improved variety seeds and 20 kg of chemical fertilizers have already been distributed to 1,600 farmers.
Upazila Agricultural Extension Plant Conservation Officer Ansar Uddin said that it is possible to further increase boro cultivation by providing irrigation facilities to farmers by providing more irrigation pumps, digging canals and abandoned ponds and basins. We hope that the farmers will get good yields in boro cultivation this time.
In the field, it was found that after the Aman harvest, a little bit of sorghum and mung beans could be grown on the same land, but even a few years ago, thousands of hectares of land in the upazila remained fallow throughout the year. The farmers here used to cultivate boro, relying only on rainfall. In 1978-79, through BADC, canals were dug in the upazila and 480 220 cc irrigation machines were provided to the farmers at the field level free of cost and without rent. At that time, there was a huge response to Roro and Eri cultivation at the farmer level. Although about 60 acres of land could be cultivated with each of those machines with 2 cusec irrigation facilities made in India, England and China, the project work was hampered due to the suspension of subsidies and mismanagement.
Organized and advised by the Department of Agricultural Extension, Baufal, under the integrated "Farm Mechanization" project, 20 (acres) of land in Khajur Bariya block of Daspara Union has been planted with rice planter machines in the fiscal year 2024-25 with seed assistance under the financing of the project. Mr. Ajmir Rahman Akash, Agricultural Extension Officer, Baufal, was present as a special guest at the planting ceremony. Md. Ansar Uddin Molla, Deputy Assistant Plant Conservation Officer, Baufal, Mr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer, Baufal, Mr. Md. Redwan Uddin Talukder
Although the crop season differs by 20-22 days compared to the northern part of the country, the two months of Paush and Magh are the best time to cultivate Boro rice in the coastal Bauphala.
It is worth mentioning that 50 irrigation pumps have been distributed among the farmers' groups in Bauphale through the Agricultural Development Project in 7 districts (Barisal, Patuakhali, Bhola, Jhalakathi, Barguna, Madaripur, Shariatpur). By further increasing irrigation facilities, reducing the prices of fertilizers and pesticides and getting good market prices, the interest of farmers in Boro cultivation will increase, and the wheels of the economy here will accelerate and strengthen.
