Farmers in barind areas under northwestern region have started switching to cereals from paddy with new technology and seed in the wake of adverse impact of climate change.
According to agriculture officials and scientists, the farmers reduced the cultivation of irrigation-dependent crop especially irri- boro paddy in the barind tract, commonly known as food storage of the country. As a result, the acreage of various crops and cereals like wheat, maize, chickpea and black gram is increasing gradually.
Agriculturist Abu Muhammmad Musa says, “Around 3,500 liters of water is needed to produce one kilogramme of paddy. Whereas, less than 1000 liters of water is required for the drought- tolerant varieties.”
“Development and dissemination of appropriate farm machinery like power tiller operated seeder, strip till and zero till, bed planter, reaper and thresher to enhance the farm production especially wheat,” he says.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Deputy Director Nurul Amin said that the varieties would bring a positive result for around 2 million hectares of land in the rain-fed drought prone area.
According to sources, the continuous paddy farming in the barind tract will face an acute crisis.
Wheat Research Station Principal Scientific Officer Dr Israil Hossain said, “Irrigation has been reduced to a greater extent in the area that declines farming of transplanted aman paddy.”
According to sources, DAE has taken initiative to bring two drought- tolerant paddy varieties.
Paba Upazila Agriculture Officer Saleh Ahmed says life span of BRRIDHAN-57, a short duration and drought tolerant variety, is 10 days less than that of BINADHAN-7, an early and high yielding variety, while 15 days less than BRIDHAN-33.
