Farmers are expecting bumper production of cotton in Chuadanga and Meherpur districts this year due to application of modern technology and favour of nature.
According to Chuadanga Cotton Zonal Office, over 12,500 tonnes of cotton are expected from 4,182 hectares of land in the districts. About 380 demonstration plots have been set up under cotton cultivation following planting method, pair line planting method, sowing method, not using plough for cotton cultivation.
Over 84,871 bales of cotton were produced by cultivating cotton in 13,130 hectares of land in Chuadanga and Meherpur districts in the last three years (2020-21 to 2022-23 fiscal year).
It may be mentioned here, a total of 15,422 farmers are cultivating cotton in sadar upazila, Alamdanga upazila, Damurhuda upaizla, Jibannagar upaizla of Chuadanga district, Meherpur Sadar upazila and Mujibanagar upazila of Meherpur district. Of the total 8,310 farmers are in Chuadanga district and 7,112 farmers in Meherpur district. At least 900 farmers got training in cotton cultivation.
It is learnt, different types of crops are being cultivated with cotton in the districts by the farmers. As they are getting additional profit from the crops. Cotton cultivation starts in the month of July. Its harvesting starts in the month of February.
Good temperature, use of organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers standard HYV seeds and no pest attack are the reasons behind the bumper output. Easy cultivation process, lower production cost and providing market facility have made cotton cultivation popular in the region, sources added.
It may be mentioned here, Cotton Development Board has provided seeds, fertilizers and pesticide to the farmers valued Tk. 12,00,000 as loan. The loan is being repaid by the farmers when they sell cotton under the supervision of Cotton Development Board.
Jasimuddin of village Daulatdiar in sadar upazila of Chuadanga district said, he has produced 18 mounds of cotton by cultivating 1.5 bighas of land this year. Profit will be tk. 68,000 after selling these at tk. 70,000.
Saiful Islam, Daulatdiar in sadar upazila of Chuadanga district said, he is expecting to profit between tk. 45,000 and 55,000 by cotton cultivating on 01 bigha of land.
Sazzad Hossain of village Kolaidanga in sadar upazila of Meherpur district, said cultivation of cotton is easier and more profitable than other items. He has cultivated cotton on 3.5 bighas of land this year.
Jakaria Ikbal, Cotton Unit Officer of Cotton Development Board, Chuadanga Zonal Office, said farmers of the areas are interested to cultivate cotton using modern technologies. When farmers face to problem during cotton cultivation, officials advise them.
Sen Debashis, Chief Cotton Development Officer of Chuadanga Zonal Office, said officials of the department has been motivating to cultivate cotton for more production and better profit.
He also said, different crops are being cultivated with cotton as mixed crop. For this reason, farmers are getting additional profit from this. Besides technical, seeds, fertilizers and pesticide support have been given to the farmers for more production of cotton. To cultivate BT yield of cotton is being advised to farmers due to low expenditure.
Moreover 17 cotton unit offices are under Chuadanga Zonal Office of Cotton Development Board have been working for increasing cotton cultivation in the districts. The unit offices are Chuadanga Unit, Alakdia Unit, Dingadah unit in sadar upazila, Damurhuda unit, Hemayetpur Unit, Darshana unit, Karpashdanga unit in Damurhuada upazila, Jibanngar unit, Daulatgonj unit, Andalbaria unit in Jibannagar upazila, Alamdanga unit, Munsigonj unit of Chaudanga district, Meherpur unit, Bokultala unit, Baradi unit in Meherpur sadar upazila, Mujibnagar unit and Mohajonpur unit in Mujibnagar upazila of Meherpur district.