<i>Amon</i> yield falls short of target by 3,000 tonnes in Pabna
Production of Amon paddy in Pabna this year has been estimated at around 13,000 tonnes less than the target.
The yield would be around 1.10 lakh tonnes against the target of 1, 23,370 metric tones, sources in Agriculture Extension Department (AED) said.
The Amon yield in the just concluded season 22,000 tonnes less than than last years production, the AED officials told this correspondent.
Despite increase in the area under Amon cultivation this year, the yield decreased mainly due to successive floods and less use of fertilizer caused by its lesser supply in the district, they said. To recover the crop loss in Amon season, farmers are now all out to go for Irri-Borro cultivation, but that also will not be easy due to shortfall of fertilizer, officials and farmers said.
DAE officials said they fixed a target to bring about 46,555 hectares under Amon cultivation to produce 1, 23,370 tonnes of paddy. But farmers exceeded the target, covering around 47,179 hectares this year before the first onslaught of flood.
The two consecutive floods damaged at least 9,000 hectors of Amon fields. After the first flood receded, Amon seedlings were transplanted in most lands, barring worst affected 880 hectares as water remained stagnant on those. After the floods, a total of 46,300 hectares were brought under Amon cultivation but it was late, the officials said.
Amon harvest is almost over and now farmers are preparing lands for Irri-Boro, theu asid.
Last year, Amon was cultivated on 46,555 hectares in the district and the yield was over 1,32,550 tonnes. Officials said last year's yield was about 2.84 tonnes per hector, which was far less this year.
The average yield per hectare was around two tonnes this year.
“The two consecutive floods damaged Amon crops this year. When we restored fields after the first flood, the second spell of flooding began”, said Abdul Jalil Bishwas of Malanchi village in Pabna Sadar upazila.
“After recession of floodwater we did not get sufficient fertiliser that causes the fall in production,” he said.
“I got 4-5 maunds from each bigha this year against 9-10 mounds last year”, the farmer said..
"The floods caused havoc to Amon crop in the district this year”, said Pabna AED deputy director Md. Akhtarul Afgan.
AED sources said a target has been fixed to bring 64,700 hectares under Irri-Boro cultivation this year to produce 2.55 lakh tones of paddy.
The officials said they apprehend short supply of fertiliser during the Rabi season. At least 41,000 tonnes will be needed in the district but we have supply of 35,000 tonnes, said an official. “We have asked for more 6,000 tonnes”, he said.
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