Bumper wheat production likely in Manikganj

BSS, Manikganj :

The farmers of the district are expecting a bumper production of wheat during the current season amid suitable climatic conditions everywhere in the district.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said they set a target for cultivating wheat on 315 hectares of land with a production target of 1,77.3 metric tons of wheat. But wheat was cultivated on 368 hectares in the district, exceeding its fixed target.
DAE sources said in recent years, the cultivation of wheat declined in the district, but the farmers are showing interest to cultivate this food grain in all seven upazilas of the district as it has a great demand in the markets round the year.
Ahmed Ali, a farmer of Daulatpur area of the district, said the condition of wheat farming is good since its farming started in the area due to suitable weather and fertile land this season.
Abdul Huq, one of the wheat cultivators under Manikganj Sadar Upazila of the district said, “Wheat farming has been enhanced to a greater extent in the region due to various reasons in the last couple of years. Wheat is one of the less-irrigation consuming crops and it has a great demand in the markets round the year.”
The DAE sources said farmers are getting seeds, fertilizers and other inputs in due time and they were given necessary advice for modern cultivation.
 21,500 hectares brought under wheat cultivation
BSS from Panchagarh adds: A total of 21,500 hectares of land have been brought under wheat cultivation this season in the district with a production target of 63,000 metric tonnes of wheat.
 Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said of the total land 12,000 hectares have been brought under Prodip variety, 4,000 hectares under Bijoy, 2,500 hectares under Sotapdi and 1,500 hectares of land under Bari-150 variety of wheat.
 Deputy director of DAE M Riaj Uddin said wheat cultivation has increased this year then the last year.
 Farmers Abdul Majid and Subash Chandra of village Sabuspara under Debiganj upazila of the district said that at least ten mounds of wheat can be harvested from one bigha of land.
 Each maund of wheat is sold at minimum Taka 1200. Farmer Abdul Majid said last year I got Taka 10,000 by selling wheat from one bigha of land.
 The DAE has supplied all necessary seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and other agriculture inputs at a free of cost among the farmers to achieve the production target.
 Besides, the department has also imparted training to the farmers to make them acquainted with the modern methods of wheat cultivation.