Boro cultivation in Natore has exceeded all expectations.
Surpassing the district's Department of Agriculture Extension's (DAE) expectations, around 14,826 acres of land—in seven upazilas of Natore— have been used in 2019 to cultivate Boro paddy, which is also 580,698 acres more than 2018.
Despite the adverse climatic conditions of the country—with heavy hail storms in Natore over the last few months striking fear among the farmers—regarding this year's Boro paddy collection and cultivation, the district's agriculture officers and authorities concerned are expecting that this year, they will be able to produce more Boro paddy than last.
Addressing the proceedings Natore Department of Agriculture Extension Deputy Director Rafiqul Islam said: "Last year a total of 151,228 acres of land were used for Boro paddy cultivation.
"Despite our prediction that only 137,143 acres of land would be used to cultivate Boro paddy in 2019, exceeding our expectations, a total of 151,809 acres of land were used to cultivate Boro paddy in the district."
"Among the seven upazilas of the district: 6,770 acres in Sadar upazila, 21,115 acres in Naldanga upazila, 91,676 in Singra upazila, 13,590 acres in Gurudaspur upazila, 5 1,4702 acres in Baraigram, 2,396 acres in Lalpur upazila, and 1,556 acres of land have been used for Boro paddy cultivation in 2019," he added.
Adding to the discussion, the district's Boraigram upazila resident and Boro paddy farmer Akkas said: "This year I have cultivated Boro 28 on two acres of land and Boro 29 on 2.5 acres of land.
"Despite all the natural calamities, if everything from now onward remain the same, then I hope the yield this year will satisfy all parties concerned."
These notions were echoed by Munsur, Dudar, and Jakir; all Boro paddy farmers of the same district.
When contacted for comment, regarding the concerns proposed by the farmers, Deputy Director of the Natore Department of Agricultural Extension Rafiqul Islam said: "I believe the recent hailstorms which hit Natore will not affect Boro paddy cultivation this year.
"Adding to which, no news of damage to Boro paddy in the district has been reported due to pest attacks this year. This has led us to expect higher yields this year than in 2018. A total of 288,823 metric tons of Boro paddy was cultivated in 2018 and we are hopeful that this year we will be able beat that number."