Maize cultivation has increased in the char areas of Kurigram. Because maize needs little cost and care, farmers have become more interested in it than in other crops. Favourable weather this year has brought a good yield, and with good demand in the market, farmers are hoping to profit.

According to the Kurigram office of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), maize has done well this year along the river basins in the district's remote char areas. The department said maize has been grown on 1,220 hectares more than last year.

Md Sekendar Ali of Panchgachhi union in Kurigram Sadar upazila said: "I have grown maize on 5 bighas. Maize costs less and earns more than paddy. Maize plants also have very few diseases. With good care, you get a good yield."

Ashraful Islam of Sanjuarvita village in Nageshwari upazila said: "I have grown it on 2 bighas. With favourable weather, the yield is good. I will be able to bring the maize home within a week. It cost Tk 5,000–6,000 per bigha, and after costs I will make a profit of Tk 18,000–25,000 per bigha."

Md Hazrat Ali, a farmer in the Kadamtala char area of Kurigram Sadar upazila, said he had grown maize on 10 bighas, farming land he leases from others as well as his own. Sowing early this year brought a good yield, and he plans to expand his farming in future.

Md Abdullah Al Mamun, deputy director of the Kurigram district office of the DAE, said: "This season maize has been grown on 16,774 hectares in the district, 1,220 hectares more than last year. Farmers have turned to maize because they have been encouraged to grow it and given various support, including fertiliser and seed. The favourable weather has brought a good yield."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.