By Muktar Hossain from Harirampur, Manikgonj
A bumper crop of Aus rice has been harvested in the current char areas of the Padma River in Harirampur. About 1000 hectares of land were used for growing the Aus Porangi variety of rice this season in Lechraganj Union’s char regions such as Patgramchar, Notakhola, Gangadhardi, Harihardia, Joypur, Selimpur, Baliyachak, and in the three unions of Lechraganj, Sutalri, and Azimnagar.
According to the agriculture office, Aus rice was cultivated on 4,465 hectares of land in these seven upazilas of Manikganj district, which is 734 hectares more than last year. Dr. Rabiul Nur Ahmed said that the cost of cultivating Aus rice is relatively low, and the profit is higher, which is why production has increased this season. Additionally, the Porangi variety of Aus rice can be harvested within a short period, making it a preferred choice for farmers.
This season, the moderate floodwaters in the char areas did not damage the crops. Being an early variety, farmers could harvest the Aus Porangi rice quickly. Lutfor Rahman, a farmer from Patgramchar, said, “I cultivated 1 bigha (33 decimals) of land and expect to harvest 15 maunds of rice. The current market value is BDT 15,000, while my production cost was 6,000 taka.” He also mentioned that no fertilizers or pesticides were used in the cultivation of Aus rice, making it a safe food source for people.
He further mentioned that farmers in the char areas are happy as this season they have been able to harvest their rice and their faces are filled with happiness being able to be profited from their agricultural produces.
It is to be mentioned that BARCIK has been working in the char area for a long period of time. The organization has been encouraging farmers to cultivate Aus rice in the char land. It has been facilitating farmers with seed exchange, exposure visits, discussions and meetings to enable them cultivating Aus rice and other crops in an organic way to make the environment and nature safe.