The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bumper production of wheat expected in N-dists

BSS, Rajshahi

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has fixed a target of producing 6,22,090 tonnes of wheat from 2,39,150 hectares of land in the country's 16 northern districts under Rajshahi division during the current season.

According to the DAE sources, a total of 3,04,590 tonnes of wheat are expected to be produced from 1,17,150 hectares in eight districts under Rajshahi Agriculture Zone and 3,17,500 tonnes from 1,22,000 hectares in another eight districts under Rangpur Agriculture Zone this year. Officials concerned are expecting to achieve the fixed target of the current season as huge motivational activities are being conducted and the farmers are being provided with quality wheat seeds, fertilizers and other necessary inputs for the purpose, the sources said. The officials are expecting to achieve the fixed target of the current season as motivational activities are being conducted, the sources said.

The farmers are now busy in land preparation works everywhere with harvesting of early varieties of paddy and in many places, seeding has started to get the existing soil moisture. From November 15 to November 30 is the optimum time for showing wheat seed. The sources said, the departments concerned, including the DAE, the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation and the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute, Adequate training, technical assistances, inputs, high yielding seeds and agri- loans are being provided to the farmers under different programmes of different government and non-government organizations.

The DAE fixed target for producing the wheat in the region could not be achieved during the last five consecutive seasons due to various reasons, including diversification of crop farming and less interest of farmers, the sources added.

During the last rabi season, the DAE fixed the target for producing 4,91,507 tonnes of wheat from 2,84,108 hectares in the northern districts but it failed to reach the target.

Wheat will be cultivated in 28,000 hectares in Rajshahi, 24,000 hectares in Natore, 13,000 hectares in Naogaon, 17,000 hectares in Chapainawabganj, 28,000 hectares in Pabna, 4,000 hectares in Sirajganj, 18,000 hectares in Bogra and 1350 hectares in Joypurhat, 5,500 hectares in Rangpur, 4,000 hectares in Gaibandha, 3,000 hectares in Lalmonirhat, 6,000 hectares in Nilphamari, 14,000 hectares in Kurigram, 24,500 hectares in Dinajpur, 14,000 hectares in Panchagarh and 51,500 hectares in Thakurgaon.

Principal Scientific Office of Regional Wheat Research Centre Dr Naresh Chandra Deb Barma here today told BSS that the actual output might cross the fixed target this season as the farmers have got bumper production of wheat and higher market price last year.

"We have been providing four high yielding wheat seeds-shatabdi, sufi, bijoy and prodip among the farmers level and the growers are very much happy over getting the seed," Barma said adding that there has been a bright prospect of expanding wheat farming in the vast tract of barind area as huge land remain fellow after harvesting of t-aman every year.

3 jubak officials held in Khulna

Our Correspondent, Khulna

Khulna Thana police arrested three officials of an NGO- JUBAK Housing Society from their residence at different places of the city recently sources said. JUBAK Housing Society took deposit about Tk. 50 crore from hundreds of people in the city with an assurance to give plot for housing. but the JUBAK officials fled away closing its office. Many lodged case in Khulna thana against the JUBAK.

The arrested persons are Area Assistant Manager Kamrun Nahar, Dr. Salah Uddin and Abdur Razak Molla. The court sent them to custody cancelling bail petition.

Call to be self-reliant instead of depending on foreign aid

Staff Reporter, Mymensingh

An opinion sharing meeting with the chairman of Union Parishad titled Children Working in the house as servant in union level was held at Hotel Amir Internaitonal on 12th November. Ex Adviser Sultana Kamal was present as chief guest while it was presided over by president Sara, N.G.O. It was organised by saf, Sara and Ain & Salish Kendra. ADC, Farid Ahmed, Save the Children representative Hoster Gart were present on the occasion. It was assisted by Save the children. Ex Adviser Sultana Kamal said we should not depend on foreign aid. We should be self reliant. We shall have to stand on our own feet. Union parishad chairman, members, journalists were present.

Nat'l Agriculture Day observed with much enthusiasm in Mymensingh

Staff Reporter, Mymensingh

National Agriculture Day was observed in Mymensingh in a befitting manner on 15th November Dr. C.S. Karim, Agriculture Adviser was present as chief guest in Programme. Programme includes cutting of paddy rice, rally, discussion meeting, agricultural fair and distribution of prizes among best farmers. Cutting of paddy rice at Bhaluka upazila was inaugurated by Dr. C.S Karim in the morning. In the evening a discussion meeting, rally, inauguration of Agricultural air and distribution of prizes among best farmer were held.

In discussion meeting Dr.C.S Karim was present as chief guest. He said this is for the first time Agricultural Day was observed outside Dhaka. He further said farmers are our assets.

This is for the first time farmers are honoured by Govt. Agriculture Secretary M. Abdul Aziz and FAO representative ADS spiker were present as special guests while it was presided over by D.C. Mymensingh Md. Ziaur Rahman Khan. High officials of Agricultural Department were present. D.D. D.A.E, Mymensingh Mozammel Haque conducted the meeting.

Call to make violence-free society

Our Correspondent, Gazipur

A discussion meeting arranged by Oikyabaddha Nagorik Andolon, Gazipur district branch and presided over by Freedom Fighter Al-Haj S.M. Mujibur Rahman was held at its organisational office in Gazipur on Sunday afternoon.

It was addressed, among others, by General Secretary, Nagorik Andolon, Freedom Fighter Mujibur Rahman, Central leader Sirajul Islam, Kala Chand Sarker (Sushil), Gazipur Sadar Upazila president Freedom Fighter Abdul Hamid.

Speakers said in their statements Oikya Baddha Nagorik Andolon will participate in coming J.S. election and they are working to make a good environment for free and fair poll. They also added Nagorik Andolon. Activists always try to do well for the people and country. They are determined to be good citizens and alert for protecting all kinds of violence.

It may be mentioned that leaders of its new political party called upon the people to join in Nagorik Andolon to create violence-free society.

Extensive vegetable cultivation in south-western districts taken

BSS, Satkhira

An extensive programme has been taken up for winter vegetable cultivation in 10 districts of the south-western region of the country in the current Rabi season. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said, under the programme, a total of 66000 hectares have been brought under winter vegetable cultivation. The production target has been fixed at 9,90,000 metric tons.

The district wise break-up of land is as follows: 13000 hectares were brought under winter vegetable in Jessore district, 3000 hectares in Narail district, 3700 hectares in Magura district, 8000 hectares in Jhenidah district, 8500 hectares in Kushtia district, 3500 hectares in Meherpur, 7500 hectares in Chuadanga, 5300 hectares in Khulna, 9000 hectares in Satkhira and 4500 hectares in Bagerhat.

The district wise production target is 195000 tons in Jessore district, 45000 tons in Narail, 55500 tons in Magura, 120000 tons in Jhenidah, 127500 tons in Kushtia, 52500 tons in Meherpur, 112500 tons in Chuadanga, 79500 tons in Khulna, 135000 tons in Satkhira and 67500 tons in Bagherhat district.

The vegetables are bringal, gourd, Korola, Lal Shak, Potal, Jhinga, lady's finger, tomato and cauliflower. DAE Officials and farmers are expecting a bumper production of winter vegetables in the south western region during the current season.

When contacted deputy director of DAE, Satkhira Md. Banez Ali Mia told BSS that necessary measures been taken to make the winter vegetable cultivation programme a success.

Workshop on diagnosis of livestock diseases held in Netrakona

BSS, Netrakona

A day-long workshop on "the method for diagnosis of livestock diseases" was held at the conference room of district livestock department on Saturday.

Director general of the livestock department Sunil Chandra Ghosh inaugurated the workshop chaired by district livestock officer DR Tafijuddin Ahmed.

The function was addressed, among others, by upazila livestock officer Dr Bazlur Rashid, Dr Saidul Islam Khan and Dr Mustafa Kamal.

A total of 25 upazila livestock officers and veterinary surgeons under the district livestock department participated in the workshop.

Cultivation of winter vegetables going on in full swing in Joypurhat

BSS, Joypurhat

Cultivation of winter vegetables is going on in full swing in five upazilas of the district.

According to Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) the farmers of the district have brought about 5,000 hectares of land under vegetable cultivation.

It is expected that a total of 75,000 metric tons of vegetables including cabbage, cauliflower, bean, egg- plant, radish, pumpkin, tomato and other winter vegetable will be produced in the district during the current season.

The sources said, necessary steps have been taken to provide the farmers with bank loan, high yielding variety seeds, fertiliser, pesticides and other inputs to boost vegetable production.

Darsana Sugar Mills goes into production from Nov 28

BSS, Chuadanga

Production at Darsana Sugar Mills (DSM) for the current season will begin from November 28, according to mills management sources.

The DSM has fixed a target to produce 12,800 metric tons of sugar during this season by crushing 1,60,000 metric tons of sugarcane.

The recovery percentage of sugar in the mills during the season has been fixed at 8 percent. The purchasing price of sugarcane has been fixed at Taka 70.73 per maund at the mills gate and Taka 69.12 per at purchasing centres of the mills zone area.

There are standing matured sugarcane on 14000 acres in the mills zone area, which are to be crushed in the mills during this crushing season.

Meanwhile, necessary preparations have been completed to start production at the mills for the current season.