Tauhidul Islam Shaheen, a farmer in Khordo Rasulpur village, Sadullapur, Gaibandha, was inspired by YouTube to grow 11 varieties of rice on six acres this Aman season. His fields are now full of swaying ears of different varieties.
They include Kanthali, hybrid Chinigura, Jamuna and long basmati, among others. By growing several varieties in one season he wants to see their traits, yields and prospects for himself.
At the heart of his plan is quality seed. He intends to select the most suitable of his varieties and produce seed from them, meeting his own needs next season and supplying other farmers in the area.
But growing paddy and producing seed are different things. Citing agriculture department sources, the report notes that seed requires varietal purity, good germination, freedom from disease and proper drying and storage, and that keeping varieties pure is especially important when many are grown together. It also advises adapting methods learned from videos to local soil and weather, and consulting agriculture officers on variety selection, purity testing and storage.
Local farmer Mamun Mondal said that if Shaheen succeeds, other farmers will be encouraged to think in new ways. The report is by Dhaka Mail's Gaibandha correspondent.
Photo: Ibrahim Husain Meraj / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0); a paddy field in Gaibandha
Source: Dhaka Mail
Comments
(0)