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LALMONIRHAT: Farmers of the five upazilas of the district are expecting a good production of Maize in the current season. Favourable weather and necessary agri-inputs for maize made it possible, said farmers. Maize is one of the popular crops in the district.
It has become popular among the farmers due to low production cost. The demand for maize in the country is rapidly growing for the last few years. The growing poultry, fish, dairy food and biscuits industries use maize as one of the main ingredients. So, its demand is increasing day by day extraordinarily.
Lalmonirhat is one of the largest Maize producing districts in the country. A big portion of the total demand is being fulfilled from the district. The soil and the weather are also favourable for Maize farming here.
Especially the sandy char land of Teesta and Dharla river basin is suitable for its cultivation. Lalmonirhat district is known as Maize farming district. The district has an official slogan: Vuttay vora shobar ghor, Lalmonirhat shonirvor.
Many renowned poultry feed companies across the country are collecting quality maize from this area. They collect maize from their local agents and sometimes from the growers directly.
Visiting the char areas of Lalmonirhat sadar, Kaligonj, Hatibandha and Patgram upazillas, it is seen that vast tracts of land have been brought under maize cultivation. If one visits the Burimari highway from Lalmonirhat, they will see miles after miles of maize fields beside the roads. Doani, Goodimari, Sindurna, Patikapara and sandy land of Teesta under Hatibandha upazila are full of maize fields.
After the harvesting of maize, all the family members get involved with the process of drying up and preserving it. Thousands of female workers become busy for two months for maize cutting and drying up process. As a result, they get the opportunity to meet up their family need and can also earn their pocket money.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Lalmonirhat sources, farmers have cultivated maize on 30,440 hectares of land against the target of 30,150 hectares of land (Robi season).
Birendronath, a farmer of Aditmari village said that he cultivated maize on 5.5 acres of land. He spent nearly 0.2 million Taka and is expecting at least 500 mounds of Maize.
Samsul Islam, a farmer of char Khulaghat area under sadar upazilla of the district said, the production cost of maize is lower than other crops. Eight to 10 thousand Taka is needed to cultivate one bigha of land from which 25-30 mounds maize can be produced.
When asked, Shamim Ashraf, Deputy Director (DD) of Lalmonirhat, DAE said that the district's soil and nature are favourable for maize farming. The production cost is comparatively lower, he added, saying the demand for maize is growing rapidly in the food sector. If a good price can be ensured, farmers will be benefited from it, he added.