Farmers in Pabna's Chatmohar, especially cattle farmers, have resumed barley production due to the increase in the price of animal feed. Barley was once used as human food in this area. Even in the middle of the 20th century, large areas of Chatmohar were producing barley.
As a result of the change in people's eating habits, the production of barley is gradually decreasing. At the beginning of the 21st century, barley production was almost non-existent in Chatmohar. However, nowadays, farmers and farmers of Chatmohar in Pabna have started cultivation of barley again in some lands to meet the food demand of cattle. Along with other grasses, they are using the soft stems and leaves of barley as fodder for cattle.
Research has revealed that barley was cultivated in many areas of Chatmohar a few decades ago. The extent of barley cultivation gradually decreased. At present, due to the development of many cow farms in this area, the cow farmers have started cultivating barley, a seed grain plant, in the fields of different areas. Some non-farmers grow barley but sell it to livestock farmers as animal feed. A limited number of farmers are ripening barley and collecting grain.
Chatmohar Upazila Agriculture Office sources said that in the current season, 55 hectares of barley has been cultivated in Chatmohar, most of which is being used as cattle fodder. Gunaigacha, Moolgram, Failjana and DBgram Unions are growing barley in relatively large areas.
Cow farmer Azahar Ali of Pailanpur village of Gunaigacha union of the upazila said, "About 80 percent of people in our village keep cows. There are many big farmers in this village. Cows milk less if fed hay. The price of other cattle feed including hay, maize is also high. So for about four years we started barley cultivation. Farmers feed the cows by cutting the stalks of barley. Other foods are also given on a limited scale. Cows give more milk when fed barley. Barley is being sold at 8 to 9 thousand Tk per bigha of land as cattle feed.”
Chatmohar Upazila Animal Resources Officer said that barley stems and leaves are very good as fodder. When the grain ripens, it is better to make silage and feed it to cattle. Barley grains can also be boiled and fed. After harvesting the barley, husks made from barley stalks can also be used as livestock feed.
