The Jamuna river chars of Sonatala upazila in Bogura are turning green with chilli seedlings. The upazila agriculture office has set a target of 910 hectares this season, the same area as last season, and a good crop and price last time have kept farmers keen.
Kharif-season seedlings are being planted now, and Rabi-season planting will begin in about 20 days. Alongside the local variety, farmers are more interested this year in the hybrids Bijli Plus, Nabin and 1701. Hybrids yield 80 to 85 maunds a bigha and the local variety 40 to 45, but the local chilli is hotter; it is the one known as Bogura chilli.
On the chars along the Jamuna in Madhupur, Tekani Chukainagar and Pakulla unions, planting is nearly finished on most land. Seedlings 30 to 35 days old, about 10 cm tall, are moved to the field. Farmers then weed between the rows with hand-made tools to loosen the soil, keep the base of each plant loose and water lightly for a few days. With good care, the plants reach about a foot within 15 to 20 days.
'We are Bogura people; price or no price, we have to grow chilli,' said Chhanaul Islam of East Tekani, adding that chilli growing has spread in the area. Abu Taher of Maheshpara said bad weather in the years before caused heavy crop losses and low prices meant heavy losses, but last season's good price has brought more land under chilli this year.
Sonatala upazila agriculture officer Sohrab Hossain said both yields and prices were good last season, so farmers are keener. Rabi planting will finish this month, and with favourable weather output could rise this year, he said. The report is by Krishi Shomoy's Bogura correspondent.
Photo: Afifa Afrin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source: Krishi Shomoy
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