Prospect of aromatic rice bright in Barind tract

BSS, Rajshahi : Prospect of aromatic and fine quality rice production in vast Barind tract is very bright as it is endowed with many native fine and aromatic rice varieties, which have enormous demands both at home and abroad. Agriculturists, traders and farmers said the area comprising Rajshahi, Natore, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon and Dinajpur is traditionally familiar for producing rice and high yielding varieties to meet the gradually increasing demand of local consumers. High price and increased demand of fine and aromatic rice have created interest among farmers about paddy cultivation, they added. Agriculturist Abu Muhammad Musha told BSS that the net return was higher for Basmoti compared to BRRI dhan-34 and 50 in Boro season. Basmoti was more profitable compared to the other varieties. Chinigura or Chiniatab rice production is most profitable among different Aman rice varieties in Baraind Tract. Although average yield of Kataribhog was comparatively lower than Paijam and BR-11 but net return was 19 percent higher than Paijam and 21 percent higher than BR-28. Low market price, lower yield and insect and disease infestation were the problems which faced by the farmers in terms of producing and marketing of aromatic rice. Another problem of aromatic rice cultivation was lack of quality seed. Milling problem was found acute for aromatic rice as special rubber huller is needed. Govt as well as private organisations and companies should contact with the aromatic rice growers to ensure the price before harvest. Necessary measures should be taken to export more aromatic rice to the abroad where the demand of aromatic rice is comparatively higher to encourage the growers. In an effort to assist for increasing production and export of fine and aromatic rice, Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) had implemented a three-year programme titled “Fine Rice Production and Marketing” in five districts of the region till June 2012. Deputy Project Manager ATM Rafiqul Islam said quality paddy seeds were procured from farmers and supplied among the interested ones under contract farming system during the project tenure. The project was a very successful one as the BMDA has ensured irrigation facilities for cultivation of the paddy. As many as 9,000 farmers and 700 staff were involved in raising 390 demonstration plots through need-oriented field-level training for cultivating and producing aromatic varieties- Chiniatop, Kalijira, Kataribhog, Jirashail, Basmati, BRRI-34 and BRRI-50. The programme gave agricultural inputs like seed, fertilizer and pesticides to the farmers, he added. But the programme was not extended after its tenure ended in last June. BMDA, at present, is providing irrigation facilities to around 7.42 lakh hectares of land in Aman season and 3.84 lakh hectares of land in Boro season. “To cultivate these lands in both the seasons, 43,645 tonnes of seeds are required every year,” he said. For the sake of sustainable crop production alongside encouraging the farmers in crop farming including the fine rice Abu Sayeed, a local grower, said quality seed production should be enhanced at the farmers’ level. He said the government should take immediate step to restart the programme for greater national interest.