Maize amazes farmers in Sherpur

A maize field at Nakla village under Nalitabari upazila in Sherpur. The photo was taken recently. PHOTO: STAR

Ahamed Ali of Nakla village under Nalitabari upazila in Sherpur earned about Tk 3,60,000 from five acres of land last year. He produced 1250 maunds and sold those at Tk 290 per mound. He had to spend around Tk 50,000.

This year, maize on seven acres of land is ready for harvest, he told this correspondent during a visit to his field last week.

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The cultivation is easier and less costly than other crops. The main advantage is an assured market. Buyers, mainly poultry feed producers, take away the yield from his house, he said.

This crop has good prospect because of its diversified use, AED officials and buyers said.

Ahamed Ali said the crop can be raised throughout the year but the yield is best in the Rabi season (October to April).

Maize plants need less irrigation as they collect food and water from the deep layer of soil through long roots. They do not harm other crops and soil fertility.

Besides, pest attack is not as severe as in other cereal crops, he added.

Another farmer, Narandra Chandra Sarkar, said he got 720 maunds from three acres by cultivating Pacific-II, a high yielding variety, in the last season.

"Smooth marketing facility attracted me to go for maize cultivation", Khalek Mia of Kenduapara village under Nalithabari upazila said.

He cultivated high yielding Sewra variety this season.

Some big NGOs like BRAC, Grameen Krishi Foundation and poultry farmers are showing interest in maize, he said.

The AED introduced the crop in Sherpur district five years back through demonstration plots in different areas. Their efforts have brought encouraging results.

In the current season, 500 acres including 250 in Nalithabari upazila have been brought under maize cultivation in the district, AED officials said in Sherpur.

Its cultivation is expanding because it can be grown throughout the year and requires less irrigation.

Local varieties like Barnaly, Shuvra, and Mohar and high yielding varieties including Sewra and Pacific-II are being cultivated in our country. Bangladesh's climate is suitable for this crop, they said.

Farmers in Nalithabari said high yielding Pacific-II variety is grown on 80 per cent of the land under maize cultivation in the area.

The AED officials said corn oil produced from maize is one of the most popular edible oils in the world now. Corn oil is also used for preparing acid, alcohol, paint, artificial rubber, gun powder, medicines etc.

Besides the home market, maize has good prospect for export because of its diversified use, they said.

This is the only crop which contains magnesium, potassium, sodium and chlorine together.