Farmers busy in collecting Aman paddy seedlings

Madukhali (Faridpur) Correspondent :

Farmers are busy in collecting saplings of Aman in different markets of Madhukhali in Faridpur.

The Department of Agriculture Extension expects that one municipality and 11 unions of the upazila may exceed the target of planting saplings this year compared to last season.

The two biggest markets of the upazila, Madhukhali Sadar and Kamarkhali markets, are crowded with farmers to collect saplings.

On Friday (August 18), farmers are buying a load of seedlings at Madhukhali market from Tk 250 to Tk 500. And they are collecting rent at 20 rupees per load.

Ayanal Sheikh, a seedling seller at Madhukhali bazaar, said that the import of saplings in the market is also extensive.

Even though there are imports, buyers are less than that.

The price of fodder is also low. Jute cutting has been delayed due to low rainfall in this season.

As there is still jute in many lands, the farmers have slowly planted saplings.

Madukhali Upazila Agriculture Officer Alvir Rahman said that Ropa Aman’s Biri-87,37,75, Bina-7 and several types of rice seedlings are usually planted from July to mid-September.

Till the middle of August, 6,800 hectares of land have already been planted with saplings of Aman by various means including early floating seedlings. Ropa Aman seedlings can be planted during September (Bhadra month).

This year, the target of plantation in one municipality and eleven unions in the upazila is 8 thousand 690 hectares.

In the last season, total saplings were planted in 8 thousand 640 hectares of land in the upazila.

The agriculture department is expecting to exceed the target for planting saplings due to the opportunity of planting saplings during this month and now due to rains.