Agriculture is the main livelihood for most people in Nilphamari district. The district's fertile loam and sandy loam soils produce many kinds of crops. But because maize, one of the main rabi crops, is profitable, farmers with little capital have turned to growing it. This year they are dreaming of success with a bumper yield.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the target this year is to grow maize on 28,323 hectares in the district, against 26,655 hectares last year. The production target this year has been set at 30 lakh 2 thousand 801 tonnes. Of the area target, 2,830 hectares are in Nilphamari Sadar upazila, 38 hectares in Domar, 14,380 hectares in Dimla, 3,205 hectares in Kishoreganj, 3,678 hectares in Jaldhaka and 430 hectares in Saidpur upazila.

Farmers say they profit from growing various crops. Many farmers in the district grow paddy, wheat, mustard, jute, orange, malta, apple kul, tea, mango, litchi, dragon fruit and ginger. Maize, however, has added a new dimension to the region's farm economy and changed people's lives and livelihoods. Maize grain is used as human food, and the plant and green leaves as quality cattle fodder. It is also in good demand as poultry and fish feed.

Harun Rashid, a farmer of Lakshmichap Kachhari village in Nilphamari, said: "On many of the fields in the area where Boro used to be grown, we have grown maize this year. Boro costs a lot to produce, yet when harvesting and threshing begin, the paddy market collapses, and in many cases we do not even recover the production cost. Maize costs little to grow and fetches a good price. That is why we have turned to maize."

Mojibor, a farmer of Nitai village in Kishoreganj, said: "Our area has long been famous for potato farming, and most of the upazila's potatoes are grown here. Potato prices were good this season, which helped farmers. So I am growing maize as well. I hope the yield will be bumper. But the effort will be worthwhile only if we get a fair price."

Hamidul Islam, a farmer of the Khalishachapani area of Dimla, said: "Maize is more profitable than Boro rice, which is why we grow it. Growing maize costs about Tk 10 to 15 thousand per bigha, and the yield is 40 to 50 maunds per bigha. The maize is in very good condition now. If we get a good price, I hope we will make a good profit."

Prafulla Chandra Roy, sub-assistant agriculture officer for Palashbari union, told Jago News: "We are constantly advising farmers in the area on producing high-yielding maize at low cost. We also advise measured use of pesticides to keep maize free of diseases."

Atik Hasan, Nilphamari Sadar upazila agriculture officer, told Jago News: "Maize cultivation is much higher than last year. We hope for a bumper yield. Maize farming is growing because farm inputs are easily available. If the weather is favourable this year, farmers will get a good yield. If the overall situation and market prices stay good, maize cultivation will expand day by day."

Dr S M Abu Bakar Saiful Islam, deputy director of the district DAE, said: "Farmers have turned to maize because it is a nutritious and profitable crop. The agriculture department is advising them in various ways, and field workers are with them at all times. Maize is now used as feed for cattle, buffalo, goats, fish, ducks and chickens. If it is added to people's diets in future, maize cultivation will increase."

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