In the Haor area of Kishoreganj, Boro cultivation is in full swing. Ignoring the severe winter, the farmers have started cultivating the lands. The activity of the farmers is going on from dawn to dusk in the whole haor region.Fields after fields are now full with green paddy.
According to the Kishoreganj Department of Agricultural Extension, four Haor region is inhabited in Itna, Mithamin, Austagram and Nikli of the district. In these four upazilas inhabited by Haors, the total cultivable land is about one lakh hectares. Boro planting target has been set at 25,830 hectares in Itna, 16,200 hectares in Mithamin, 23,595 hectares in Ashtagram, 14,295 hectares in Nikli, 7,730 hectares in Hossainpur, 9,410 hectares in Kishoreganj Sadar, 10,585 hectares in Pakundia, 12,065 hectares in Katiadi, 10,130 hectares in Karimganj, 9,545 hectares in Tarail, 12,575 hectares in Bajitpur, 6,675 hectares in Kuliarchar and 5,850 hectares in Bhairab. Boro cultivation target has been set for a total of 1 lakh 64 thousand 485 hectares of land in the district. The production target has been set at 7 lakh 26 thousand 687 metric tons. Boro cultivation is in full swing among the farmers.
Several farmers in the Haor said that their planted paddy includes local varieties, Ufsi and hybrid varieties. However, this year Ufsi paddy is being planted extensively.
This Boro crop is the only source of livelihood for the people of Haor in this area. In case of any natural calamity, the paddy produced in this area is also exported to different parts of the country by meeting the food needs of the district. But the lion's share of the crop that the poor and marginal farmers of the region grow with loans and leases goes to meet the liability. As a result, within a couple of months of harvesting, the number of poor, marginal farmers and peasants became zero. They have to live on half-starvation with their families by selling labor and borrowing money. However, farmers are hoping that the weather will be favorable. Then the farmers will be able to forget the crisis of loans and agricultural inputs with a smile on their face.
According to sources, Boro paddy is cultivated in all the 13 upazilas of the district but due to geo-natural conditions, the highest amount of Boro paddy is produced in Itna, Mithamoin, Austagram and Nikli upazilas inhabited by Haors.
Haor has the potential to produce bumper Boro every year unless there is a natural disaster. However, even with the possibility of bumper yields, farmers have to panic until the crop is harvested at home. Early floods and landslides almost submerged the golden paddy of the field-filled farmers. In the midst of so many risks, now the only thought of the farmer is to walk in the field of Haor, so that not a single piece of land falls under any circumstances.
Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director Md Saiful Alam said that this year there is a huge interest among the farmers as they are getting fair prices. Hopefully we will get more yield than the target given by the government.
