Gaibandha Representative/

Maize plantations are increasing day by day in various areas including the grasslands of Gaibandha. This year has seen a bumper yield. Therefore, the agriculture department has set a target of one lakh 90 thousand 900 metric tons of maize production in rabi season.

Other areas, including the Gaibandha grasslands, have recently been seen, with green gatherings in maize fields. Farmers are busy collecting already mature corn from this field in Dhu-Dhu Baluchar. If everything goes well, the farmer is dreaming that he will be able to make a good profit from corn this year. According to the sources of Gaibandha Agriculture Department, maize cultivation has been done in 17 thousand 45 hectares of land in the current rabi season. The target for the production of which has been set at 1 lakh 90 thousand 900 metric tons. However, 16 thousand 500 hectares were cultivated last year. Out of this, 10 thousand 700 hectares were in the grazing area. This year there are 11 thousand hectares in pasture. Maize cultivation has increased a lot as farmers get good yields and prices. According to local sources, Gaibandha is a district surrounded by rivers. The chest of this district is torn by many rivers including Ghaghat-Brahmaputra-Tista-Yamuna. Hundreds of sand dunes have risen on the banks of these rivers. Along with other crops in these pastures, maize is the golden crop of the farmer. Farmers here have turned to maize cultivation as it is cheaper and more profitable. This plantation is noticeable not only in the farmers of Char area, but also in different plains of the district. This is their important cash crop. In the maize fields sown in the current rabi season, thor is already emerging and changing its color. Farmers are also starting to raise this crop at home.

Motaleb Miah, a farmer of Kamarjani Char, said that this year he planted two and a half acres of corn in sandy soil. And after a few days, he is dreaming of bringing this crop home. He expects to earn about lakhs of rupees from this excluding expenses. Raju Sheikh, a farmer of Sadullapur Char Nachal, said that this year corn is grown on 1 acre of land and the crop is being harvested at home. Hybrid Sara-3055 variety of maize yielded 28 to 30 maunds per bigha. It cost him 12 to 14 thousand rupees per bigha. In the current market, dry corn is being sold at the price of Tk 1,000. Another farmer, Sadekul Islam, said that corn cultivation is very profitable. But it is possible to be more profitable with the incentives and advice of the Agriculture Office. But the government has not received any benefit till now.

Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Tanjimul Hasan said that corn cultivation is very profitable. Maize kernels are used as human food, plants and green leaves as cattle fodder and poultry and fish feed.

Deputy Director of Gaibandha Agricultural Extension Department Khorshed Alam said that the farmers of this district are more interested in maize cultivation. Global cooperation is being done at the field level to benefit them.