Soybean has been planted in 13,207 hectares of land in Subarnachar, Noakhali Sadar, Companigonj, Hatia and Kabirhat upazilas of Noakhali this year. The agriculture department hopes that this time the soybean yield is better than the last few years and the production will exceed the target.
According to the District Agriculture Extension Department, soybean has been planted in 6,445 hectares in Subarnachar upazila, 5,600 hectares in Sadar, 60 hectares in Companigonj, 72 hectares in Hatia and 30 hectares in Kabirhat this season. The production target has been set at more than 21,000 metric tons. Soybean yield was 18,394 metric tons in 12,263 hectares of land in the district last season.
Sohag, Bari Soybean-5 and Bari Soybean-6 invented by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (Bari) are very popular in the region. Besides, Bina Soybean-3 and Bina Soybean-5 invented by Bangladesh Atomic Agriculture Research Institute (BINA) and BAU-1, BAU-2 invented by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University have started cultivation at present. The Department of Agricultural Extension, BARI, BINA, Sagarika Samaj Unnayan Sangstha, Solidaridad Asia and many other financial institutions are working to expand agriculture in Noakhali district. Government organizations pay more attention to breed development, innovation as well as training, exhibitions, farm mechanization. In addition, non-governmental organizations provide training, exhibitions and loan assistance.
It is known that soybean is a potential crop in this district. Soybeans are now a major crop in many countries, producing meat and edible oils. It contains unsaturated fatty acids which are especially beneficial for patients with heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. In addition to being used as soybean pulses, soybeans are also used in making many other dishes including onion, milk, chapati, parata, biscuits, cakes. Soybeans are currently being used in the poultry industry.
Talking to some soybean farmers in the district, it was learned that last year, the farmers lost their way due to the attack of beetle (leaf eating insect) in soybean fields in almost every area of the district. The soybean leaves of the green crop of the field were damaged due to this disease. With that, the dreams of the farmers were ruined, as a result of which the local farmers were deprived of the desired yield. But insect infestation has not been seen this season. Several farmers of Subarnachar Char Hasan, Char Mojib and Char Panaulya villages said they are hoping for better soybean yield this year. In some fields some trees are dying due to bee attack. If the weather is favorable, they hope to be able to make up for last year's loss. Sohail Rana, a senior scientific officer at the Bangladesh Atomic Agriculture Research Institute (BINA), said soybean seeds are usually harvested within 100 days of sowing. Depending on the time of sowing the seeds of the farmers, the yield comes earlier or later. We visited several unions in Subarnachar and visited many soybean fields. I have seen good crop conditions in the field this season.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Shahidul Haque said that in order to protect the crop from the attack of harmful bee insects, insecticides should be applied in the soybean field as per the rules. The amount of pesticide should be mixed with 10 liters of water and sprayed on the plant. It should be sprayed in such a way that the leaves of the whole tree get wet. If all goes well, soybeans can be picked at home by mid-May. Farmers have been provided field assistance, fertilizers and seeds. In addition, several of our officers and field workers are working to assist the farmers at the field level. He also claimed that soybean yield would be good this year.