The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE interim government, as reported recently by media, revised the Boro production target upward to 17.5 million tonnes from the earlier target set for 16.9 million tonnes. Boro rice is to be produced from an estimated area of 45 lakh hectares including hybrid paddy on 12 lakh hectares with the aim to offset the Aman production deficit caused by the two successive floods. The earlier target was 16.9 million tonnes on 43.75 lakh hectares along with the hybrid rice cultivation on 10 lakh hectares in the country. A task force with a joint secretary as its head has been formed to oversee the Boro cultivation and ensure its maximum production with the upward revised target. The task force, according to the media report, would work at the field level to respond to all possible problems if and when farmers face during the season.

Natural calamities - like the recurring floods that swept the northern districts early in last year and later the November 15 devastating cyclone 'Sidr' that lashed the southern region - created the compulsion for the government to make extra efforts for a higher Boro yield to make up for the losses and reduce food import bills as well.

The taskforce would identify the problems faced by the farmers during peak season almost every year and suggest quick remedies. A 'Boro monitoring cell' will keep watch on field level farming activities and supply of inputs including fertiliser and fuel. The taskforce's responsibilities include ensuring coordination among agriculture ministry and related agencies to facilitate Boro farming and achieve the revised production target. Besides, the agriculture ministry has involved some 30 officials to oversee overall Boro production in different districts throughout the country. The officials would monitor allocation and distribution of urea and other fertilisers, diesel supply and payments of subsidy to the farmers and irrigation activities in districts.

Last year Boro was cultivated on 43 lakh hectares and the production was about 15.5 million tonnes. Demand for urea has been estimated at 12 lakh tonnes for the current January-March Boro season. The country has about 13,26,000 irrigation pumps and some eighty-five per cent of the pumps are operated by diesel. Estimated demand for diesel for irrigation purpose is about 1.2 million tonnes during the Boro season as mentioned in the report. Mere revision of production target and formation of a taskforce, however, are not enough. What is vital is seriousness on the part of the government officials either assigned or involved with the responsibility to make the move a success at this dire need of the nation. Smooth and regular supply of fertiliser and fuel would have to be ensured at any cost to achieve the target of Boro production revised afresh to meet the shortfall to whatever extent it is possible.