[🇧🇩] Agriculture in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Wheat cultivation target set at 7,275 hectares in Dinajpur

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target to cultivate wheat on 7,275 hectares of land in the district during the current season, aiming to boost production and meet the country’s growing demand...

www.newagebd.net

Wheat cultivation target set at 7,275 hectares in Dinajpur
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dinajpur 23 December, 2025, 23:23

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target to cultivate wheat on 7,275 hectares of land in the district during the current season, aiming to boost production and meet the country’s growing demand.

Deputy director of DAE Md. Afzal Hossain said the cultivation target covers all 13 upazilas of the district, with a production goal of 3.75 metric tons per hectare. If the target is achieved, total wheat production in the district is expected to reach around 25,650 metric tons.

Md. Afzal Hossain said that the weather conditions this season are favorable for wheat cultivation. He expressed optimism that, barring any natural disasters, production may exceed the set target.

Farmers began cultivating early wheat varieties such as BARI-25, BARI-26 and BARI-27 from November 15, and the crops have already sprouted. Wheat varieties including BARI-27, 28, 30, 31 and 32 will continue to be sown until December 31.

Following the harvest of Aman paddy, farmers have been busy preparing land using organic manure and cow dung to increase yields. High-yielding wheat seeds, particularly BARI-30, 31 and 32, have been supplied by the Department of Agriculture, with the expected yield set at 3.75 tons per hectare.

To support cultivation, irrigation facilities using electric-powered machines have been ensured. Drainage systems have also been installed in advance to protect crops from potential damage caused by storms or heavy rainfall.

The deputy director added that the initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on wheat imports. The Wheat Research Institute is supplying improved high-yielding seed varieties, while agricultural field workers are providing continuous guidance to farmers across the district.

In recent years, wheat cultivation has expanded beyond highlands to include medium lands and river-side char areas. According to agriculture department sources, wheat was cultivated on 6,210 hectares in Dinajpur last year, producing 23,287 metric tons at an average yield of 3.75 tons per hectare.​

 

[Saif]

Potato cultivation exceeds target in Rangpur agricultural region

Potato farmers in the Rangpur agricultural region have already exceeded the potato cultivation target by one per cent as sowing continues this season with the expectation of an all-time record yield.

www.newagebd.net

Potato cultivation exceeds target in Rangpur agricultural region
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Rangpur 27 December, 2025, 01:22

Potato farmers in the Rangpur agricultural region have already exceeded the potato cultivation target by one per cent as sowing continues this season with the expectation of an all-time record yield. | BSS Photo

Potato farmers in the Rangpur agricultural region have already exceeded the potato cultivation target by one per cent as sowing continues this season with the expectation of an all-time record yield.

Meanwhile, early varieties of potato have started to appear in local markets in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts of the region.

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension said that an all-time record target of producing 2,519,008 tonnes of potatoes from 1,01,700 hectares of land has been fixed for the region during the current Rabi season.

‘Farmers have already brought 105,600 hectares of land, higher by one per cent against the fixed farming target, under potato cultivation,’ additional director of the DAE’s Rangpur region, agriculturist Md Shirajul Islam, told BSS.

Sowing of potato seeds will continue till January next both in the mainland and char areas of all five districts in the region.

Meanwhile, farmers are continuing to harvest early varieties of potatoes cultivated after harvesting short-duration Aman rice on the same land since late October and early November last.

‘Farmers have already harvested early varieties of potatoes from 6,367 hectares of land and produced 89,318 tonnes of the tuber crop at an excellent average yield of 14.03 tonnes per hectare,’ he said.

Farmers are showing more interest in potato cultivation both in the mainland and char areas after receiving special incentives and assistance from the interim government and due to repeated bumper outputs every year.

The DAE, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and related agri-organizations are providing quality potato seeds and assistance to farmers to make the potato farming programme a success.

‘Officials of the DAE and other related organizations are providing the latest technologies to farmers for proper nursing of potato fields to ensure better yields even in the face of the sweeping cold wave across the region this season,’ Shirajul added.

Deputy director of the DAE’s Burirhat Horticulture Centre in Rangpur, agriculturist Dr Md Abu Sayem, said that farmers were cultivating potatoes with greater enthusiasm after receiving government assistance.

‘Officials of the DAE and other agriculture-related organizations are providing the latest technologies to farmers for proper sowing of potato seeds, agronomic management and nursing of tender potato plants to achieve maximum yield,’ he said.

Farmers Nur Mohammad, Bulbul Hossain, Jahangir Alam and Anwar Hossain of different villages in Rangpur said that they were earning excellent profits from harvesting early varieties of potatoes cultivated after harvesting short-duration Aman rice.

‘After harvesting early varieties of potatoes, we are preparing for Boro rice cultivation on the same land,’ said farmer Isahaque Ali of village Kathihara in Rangpur Sadar.

Former president of Rangpur Chamber, Mustafa Sohrab Chowdhury Titu, emphasised the need to establish more agro-based industries for storage and export of potato products to ensure fair prices and encourage farmers to expand potato cultivation.​