The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

Harvesting of short duration BRRI Dhan-33 started in the district on October 12 amid much enthusiasm and festivity among the farmers.

Department of Agriculture (DAE), sources said a total of 2811 hectares of high and medium high land have been brought under BRRI Dhan-33 cultivation this year in collaboration farming plan to create job opportunities for the farm and day labourers during the lean period of Bangla months Ashwin and Kartik. Of them, BRAC, a leading NGO of the country, brought 148 hectares of land in the district this year under the cultivation programmes, sources said.

A field day in the arrangement of BRAC was held at Khamrpirgachha village under Shapara union of sadar upazila in the district on Saturday on harvesting the paddy sadar upazila agriculture officer M. Mojaffar Rahman attended the function and inaugurated the cutting of BRRI Dhan-33 on the land of the village as chief guest.

Regional coordinator (Agri) of BRAC M. Mohiuddin, Programme organiser Shafiqul Islam, Sub Assistant agriculture officers Aminul Islam Khan and Rafiqul Islam and local elite including the journalists were present on the occasion.

After crop cutting land owner farmer Raza Miah disclosed to all that over 15 mounds of paddy were produced from a bigha of land after 107 days of sowing the seeds of the paddy with drum seeder through direct seeder Rice (DSR) method. He also expressed his satisfaction over the excellent production of paddy in his land. Raza Miah is also so much happy for getting start that would be used as cow foder in this crisis moment.

The harvesting of the paddy will begain a few days later on huge scale and it would continue till the middle of November next, he said. Practical training were given to the agriculture officers on the latest technologies of farming the BRRI Dhan-33, he also added.

The trained agriculture officials, motivated the farmers and educated them at the village level to acquaint with the technologies of growing this paddy in only 115 to 118 days and about 30 to 45 days ahead of the normal harvesting period of transplanted among paddy, said and official. The trained agri officials also have the training to the farmers on using leaf colour char, Guti urea, Integrated pests management method proper sowing of the seeds and nurturing the field to make the programme of sources, deputy director of DAE ANM Mizanur Rahman Amin. Dr. Mazid also said the farmers would get more profits as cultivation of BRRI Dhan-33 would be followed by the relay method growth of early variety crops like potato, wheat, moog, Maize, mustard and winter vegetable.

It this paddy is cultivated on large scale in all the northern 5 districts including Gaibandha every year the job crisis ad poverty like situation Monga would be removed have for ever, he also said.