BINA 25, a paddy variety developed by Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), is showing a ray of hope for the farmers in Jhenaidah district.
Aromatic in flavour, fine in quality, short duration, excessive bearing of paddy sheaves, better price and additional straw from the plants are attracting the farmers to the cultivation of the variety. The area of cultivation of the paddy variety will multiply in the next season, said the farmers of the district and the officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Jhenaidah.
Farmers Akidul Islam of Lakkhipur village under Manaharpur union in Shailkupa upazila said he along with other farmers -- Salamat Sheikh, Abdul Halim, Rafiqul Sheikh and Mahidul Sheikh -- has cultivated the paddy variety on 200 decimals of land this season. Sub Assistant Agricultural Officer (SAAO) of the block Abdullah Al Mamun had encouraged them to cultivate the profitable paddy variety.
The farmers of the district said they had planted the seedlings in the first week of February and are now expecting harvest within May 10 next. Although there was a mild pest attack, the farmers and the DAE officials were able to control it.
They are expecting 28 to 30 maunds of paddy from each bigha (33 decimals) of land. They might not get 23 maunds of paddy from other high yielding varieties -- BR 28 and Suballata in one bigha. The farmers will reap additional 15 to 17 percent of paddy from the plots. The DAE had supplied seeds, fertilizer and other inputs for their demonstration plot, the farmers said.
Farmers Salamat Sheikh, Abdul Halim, Rafiqul Sheikh and Mahidul Sheikh said they were very impressed when the pedestrians, including the farmers of the area and others moving through the roadside plots, have been admiring the growth, flavour, better size of paddy sheaves. People had requested the farmers to supply paddy seeds to them when the paddy is harvested within a few weeks, they said.
When contacted, SAAO of the DAE Abdullah Al Mamun said that he was also impressed by seeing the growth of the paddy as it is a new variety cultivated with a challenge. As the paddy is expected to provide profit to the farmers, he is expecting huge expansion of the paddy cultivation in next season.
When contacted, Upazila Agricultural Officer (UAO) in Shailkupa Arifuzzaman said BINA 25 variety might benefit the farmers as it has potential for its aromatic flavour, short duration and especially additional yield. The variety will help strengthen the economic state of the farmers as people of the area usually like fine quality of rice. Every SAAO in the upazila was advised to stand by the farmers through giving quality seeds, applying balanced fertiliser and organic matters on soil and updated technology for farming, the UAO said.