Bumper wheat harvest expected in 8 districts of Rangpur

Rangpur Correspondent
The wheat growers of eight districts under Rangpur division are optimistic about achieving a good yield of the crop during the current season as a conducive weather condition is prevailing in the region.  
Disgruntled over the price fall of Aman paddy many farmers of the region have become interested in wheat cultivation this season instead of Boro cultivation, sources informed.
According to the Department of Agriculture extension (DAE) Rangpur sources, wheat was cultivated on 1,24,921 hectares of land this year in 8 districts under the division with a production target of 3,61,617 metric tonnes and the production might exceed the target if the weather remains congenial, sources added.
Of the total some 3,170 hectares of land have been brought under Rangpur district, 12,896 hectares in Kurigram, 4,930 hectares in Nilphamari, 1,590 hectares in Lalmonirhat, 3,020 hectares in Gaibandha, 19,820 hectares in Dinajpur, 60,090 hectares in Thakurgaon and 19,405 hectares in Panchagarh district .
The farmers are getting more interested in the cultivation of the crop in recent years after getting bumper production repeatedly due to favorable weather conditions and fair prices, a DAE sources said.
Easy cultivation process and lower production cost compared to other crops also encouraged the farmers to cultivate it on their lands, sources also said.
Farmer Khalil of Pashchim Chowdhuripara village under Taraganj upazila in Rangpur district said, Tk 1200 to Tk 1500 is required to cultivate the crop on one bigha of land. He cultivated the crop on 3 bighas of land this year and is hopeful of getting a bumper production, if the weather remains favourable, he further said.  
Nazrul Miah (50), another farmer at Char Nazirdaho village under Kawnia upazila in Rangpur told The New Nation that he cultivated wheat on 2 bighas of land this season and the condition of its growth is excellent. Smooth supply of water and agri-inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides boosted its cultivation, he also said.
Deputy Director of DAE Rangpur Feroz Ahmed said Adequate water supply, agri-inputs and congenial weather condition enhanced wheat cultivation in the region this year which made the farmers hopeful of attaining a bumper output of the crop during the current season, he added.