Kalmakanda farmers thrive by cultivating crops on foothills

National Desk :

Farmers in Kalmakanda are benefiting from cultivating sand-tolerant nuts and other crops on fallow land at the foothills of the district.

Most of the land in Chandradinga village in the Kalmakanda upazila is covered with sand from the hill slopes, which reduces soil fertility and makes cultivation difficult, reports BSS.

Local farmers said they are now cultivating sand-tolerant crops on fallow land. This year, 12 farmers have grown nuts on 224 decimals of land, four farmers have planted maize on 32 decimals, and six farmers have cultivated sweet potatoes on 88 decimals.

Farmers of the village said that they have learnt the techniques of cultivating crops in sandy land through BARSIC’s research and training.

Local farmer Parimal Rema said, “Earlier, we could not cultivate crops on the land, but now we are earning extra money by cultivating almonds, maize and sweet potatoes. So, our living standard has improved to a great extent.”

“This year, I have cultivated more almonds, maize and sweet potatoes, and I have also cultivated sugarcane for the first time on 8 decimals of the experimental land,” he said.

Sabina Rema said, “Since my arable land was covered with sand, it was not possible to cultivate any crops on that land. But now I am cultivating almonds, maize and sweet potatoes on the sandy land. The yield is also quite good.”

Another farmer, Sadek Mia, said, “Most of my land was covered with sand due to hill erosion. But now, I am benefiting from cultivating sand-tolerant crops.”

Farmer Sukumar Hajong said, “This year, I have cultivated almonds on my fallow land for the first time. The growth of the almond tree is very good. I hope that the yield will also be good.”
This initiative has optimised the use of fallow land, improving the financial condition of local farmers.

In addition, the supply of crops in the local market has increased, which is ensuring food security. Women farmers are also becoming economically self-reliant by participating in this initiative.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) agriculturist Mohammad Nuruzzaman said, “In Netrokona district, the cultivation of maize and almonds is lower than for the other crops. We have two hilly upazilas here; one is Durgapur and the other is Kalmakanda.”

There are many areas under the hills where there is a problem of water. So, we advise the farmers to cultivate maize, almonds and various types of vegetables on the land, he said.

“In the past years, we have supported farmers by providing agricultural incentives for maize and almond cultivation. Small and marginal farmers were provided with free seeds and fertilisers for cultivation on one bigha of land,” he said.

“We provide farmers with training, as well as various agri-inputs such as seeds, fertilisers and various types of pesticides,” he added.