‘Artificial rain’ planned to boost rice harvest
BRRI Director General Md Shahjahan Kabir assured farmers that they need not cultivate all seven rice varieties, as necessary seeds will be provided. Currently, seven varieties, including two hybrids, are under study amidst water scarcity and salinity issues in Digholia Upazila, Khulna. Measures are underway to cultivate fallow lands, with plans to dig canals across the region. Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Chairman Abdullah Sazzad emphasized the importance of canal digging for food production self-reliance despite recent drought challenges.
“It is not essential to cultivate all seven varieties. Farmers can grow the paddies at their whim. Necessary seeds will be supplied,” BRRI Director General Md Shahjahan Kabir said while visiting paddy fields covering 50 bighas of land in Digholia Upazila of Khulna on Wednesday.
Seven rice varieties, including two hybrids, have been cultivated in the paddy fields. The BRRI is studying the varieties.
The BRRI chief went on to say that water is scarce there, along with the salinity issue.
“We did not import rice in the last three to four years. We produced rice according to our demand. We’re now researching and planning to increase rice production,” he said.
Mohon Kumar Ghosh, additional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Khulna region, said that measures are being taken to start cultivation on 107,000 hectares of fallow land in Khulna.
“As part of the project, eight canals are being dug in Digholia Upazila. Another six canals will be dug,” Mohon added.
Of the 1,127 canals across the region, 615 need to be dug, he added.
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Chairman Abdullah Sazzad said that digging the canals is a long-term plan.
“I hope nobody obstructs the digging of canals… If the canals are dug as planned, we’ll reap great benefits, and our self-reliance in food production will reach new heights,” Sazzad said.
For the last few years, farmers in the coastal district have been experiencing drought during this period of the year.
