Sirajganj is called the dairy capital of Bangladesh. However, with adequate utilization of fallow land, Kishoreganj's Haor can become the second dairy capital. 70% of the people of Haor region are agriculturalists. About 95 percent of the houses have cattle. When the rainy season comes, there is an extreme shortage of fodder in this region. Many farmers are forced to sell their livestock. But the farmer can overcome the scarcity of fodder in Hawre during monsoon by making maize silage.
Maize is the favorite food of cattle. Silage is an excellent alternative to hay or grass. It is especially useful for cattle in areas where farmers suffer from shortage of hay or grass. Cattle farmers often use this as feed. This feed is expensive. Improved cattle feed to reduce costs for those small farmers is 'maize silage'. Maize silage is very beneficial for livestock especially dairy cows. Maize silage is high in energy content. 1 kg of 'maize silage' costs Tk 12 and 50 kg bag costs Tk 600.
According to the Department of Animal Resources, providing nutritious feed is the main condition for livestock production on farms. But providing adequate nutrients at low cost is a huge challenge for today's farmers. Corn silage can be a great possibility to overcome this problem. Special materials for making silage are; Maize cutting machine, polythene bags, pallets for storing bags, urea fertilizer, molasses, shaded area. After storage, the stored grass can be harvested and fed directly to the cows at any time of the year.
Sources in the Directorate of Agricultural Extension said that even 5-6 years ago, the cultivation of maize in the district was nominal. However, the plantation has been increasing for the last 4 years. In 2018-19, maize was cultivated on 6 thousand 120 hectares of land in the district. Production was 54 thousand 774 metric tonnes. In 2019-20, maize was cultivated in 6 thousand 670 hectares of land in the district. Production was 61 thousand 364 metric tonnes. In 2020-21, maize was cultivated in 7 thousand 465 hectares of land in the district. Production was 72 thousand 784 metric tons. In 2021-22, 8 thousand 285 hectares of land are cultivated for maize. Production was 81 thousand 27 metric tonnes. In 2022-23, the target of maize cultivation has been set at 9050 hectares. The production target has been set at 87 thousand 400 metric tons.
Kishoreganj Dairy Farmers Association President Ajmal Khan said that when the price of food grains continues to rise, the process of preserving grass for the farmers, especially grass, has become important. Silage can play an important role in meeting the shortage of grass during monsoons and natural calamities. This will create employment for new people. Haor may be the second capital of dairy. District Livestock Officer Dr. Nazrul Islam said, Haor area has a lot of fallow land where maize can be cultivated and maize silage can be made. Silage is very useful as cattle feed. The Haor region is a low-lying area, so grass is scarce. Making more silage will reduce the pressure on forage and meet the protein requirements of livestock and benefit farmers.
District Agricultural Extension Department Deputy Director Abdus Sattar said maize is a highly nutritious food grain. As maize is more profitable than rice, farmers are turning to maize cultivation. Maize cultivation has increased in Haor region. We are encouraging farmers to grow maize.
Kishoreganj-4 (Itna-Mithamoin-Austgram) Constituency MP Rezwan Ahammed Taufiq said that the government is providing services including seeds and fertilizers as an incentive to many marginal farmers in maize cultivation. Besides meeting the per capita animal and meat needs of the poor, the government is working to improve food and nutrition security. Hope our region will also be the dairy capital.
