Growing maize and potato together on the same land has become popular in Lalmonirhat this Rabi season. With two crops from one field, farmers are doing well financially.

Maize is grown most widely in three upazilas of Lalmonirhat, where it earns farmers the most profit. On the advice of the agriculture department, farmers grow maize and potato on the same land.

When the potato plants have grown, farmers sow maize seed in the gaps in the same field. Potato and maize mature on the same irrigation, fertiliser and pesticide. Farmers have already begun harvesting and selling the potatoes. Once the potatoes are lifted, the maize grows on as a single crop. Potatoes mature within 40 days of planting, while maize takes about 6 months.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Lalmonirhat, maize has been grown on 33,055 hectares in the district this year, 150 hectares more than last year. Potato was grown on 7,806 hectares this Rabi season, 1,300 hectares more than last year.

The agriculture department says farmers are being given training and advice on growing two crops on the same land.

Farmer Ajibar Rahman said: "Without any advice from the agriculture office, every year I grow maize and potato together on 5-6 decimals. As every year, the potato yield has been good this time too. I hope to get 30-35 maunds of maize per bigha."

Maize farmer Sirajul Islam said: "This year too I have grown potato and maize on the same land. Potato prices are very low this year, but the yield has been good."

Hatibandha upazila agriculture officer Mizanur Rahman said: "Most land in the upazila is under maize. Farmers are also profiting by growing potato as a companion crop on the same land. We always advise farmers to grow two or three crops on one piece of land."

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