Fortune smiles on Magura farmers with bumper Aush yield

Aush paddy cultivation is depicting an excellent picture in Magura bringing smile on the faces of the growers with bumper yield.

Aush harvesting is now going on in full swing in the district. Due to adequate rainfall and incentives provided by the Department of Agricultural Extension, Aush growers in the district could achieve a bumper yield this season.

Newly-harvested Aush paddy has started appearing in the local markets and the farmers are overjoyed with its fair prices. Earlier Aush cultivation was decreasing in the district but for the last several years it is on the rise.

DAE , Magura sources said they brought 7,120 hectares of land under Aush cultivation and a bumper production has been achieved which is 21,370 tonnes of paddy. In 2017, Aush paddy was cultivated only on 3,310 hectares of land in the district, which has now reached 7,120 hectares this year.

That means Aush cultivation is taking an upward trend in the district. The DAE has provided 4,000 Aush growers with necessary inputs. Each of the 4,000 farmers got 10 kg DAP and 10 kg MOP fertilisers and five kg seeds for free.

Bellal Hossen, a farmer of Akshi village under Magura sadar upazila, told the FE, "I brought my two bighas of land under Aush cultivation this year. I have got 24 maunds of paddy. Though production of Aush paddy is lower compared to that of Aman or Boro, Aush paddy price is higher compared to that of Aman or Boro. I have sold my rice at Tk1,500 per maund . Such price is not possible in case of Aman or Boro paddy."

Another farmer Golam Reza of Jagla village in Magura sadar upazila said this year he has brought his two bigha land under Aush cultivation. He got free fertiliser and seeds from the DAE as incentives. Moreover, due to adequate rainfall he had no spending for irrigation this year. On the other hand he has got a high price of his paddy.

Another farmer of Amuria village in Magura sadar upazila said earlier the number of Aush growers was decreasing in their village. But for several years the number is on the rise. "This year 16 farmers of our village have cultivated Aush paddy as against 10 farmers last year. Moreover, the number will increase in the coming years as this year Aush growers are overwhelmed with their bumper production and lucrative prices."

Another farmer Milon Shaha of Kullia village in sadar upazila told the FE, "This year I've brought my one bigha land under Aush cultivation. I have achieved a bumper production which is 14 maunds of paddy. I have earned Tk 20,000 by selling my paddy. On the other hand, I got free seeds and fertilisers from the DAE. At the same time, I had no irrigation cost as there was adequate rainfall. That is my Aush paddy cultivation cost almost nothing."

Contacted, agriculturist Dr Shushan Chowhan said this year Aush cultivation in the district was almost free from the pressure of irrigation. So rise in Aush cultivation can be a boon to ecology saving underground water.

However, distributions of incentives and motivation of growers can bring a positive impact in boosting Aush cultivation.

When contacted, DAE additional deputy director Bishnu Pada Shaha told the FE , "This year farmers in the district are enjoying Aush cultivation with bumper production and high prices. This charming experience of growers will play a positive role in extension of Aush cultivation in the coming years."