For the first time in Tangail district, farmers have cultivated vitamin rich purple paddy with the help of the District Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).
Three farmers in Baropakhia union of Delduar upazila have cultivated the paddy on 20 decimals of land. The paddy is supposed to be harvested next week.
Curious people are thronging to the plot to see the purple paddy for the first time, locally known as 'beguni dhan' for its violet colour.
Rajibul Hasan Mollik, a sub-assistant agriculture officer of Tangail DAE played a pivotal role in introducing the cultivation of purple paddy, with the supply of 5 kgs of seeds to the farmers.
"I brought the purple paddy seeds from Gazipur and handed it over to the farmers, said Rajibul Hasan.
"From the start, I am providing all kinds of assistance to the farmers till now", he said.
The purple paddy is similar to the Ufsi variety of paddy, which has steep and flat leaves and 20 to 24 spikes each. As the plant is comparatively strong, storms and rain cannot damage it like other paddy plants, the officer said. " This rice is very nutritious."
“We are conducting extensive research on the purple paddy to find out what exact nutrients it contains. We can provide the details later after our research is finished,” said Rajibul Hasan Mollik.
This correspondent also spoke with the three farmers who have taken an interest in cultivation of the paddy in the district.
We first saw the purple paddy in an agriculture program aired on television. From there, I became keen in cultivation of this violet colour paddy. Later, we spoke about our interest to sub-assistant agriculture officer Rajibul Hasan Mollik, who later provided us with seeds, said Mintu Miah.
“We have cultivated the paddy for the first time. If we get satisfactory produce, we will cultivate the paddy on a larger scale in the coming days,” said farmer Abdus Sabur.
“The colour of the paddy is very attractive, which is why I became interested in producing the paddy,” said another farmer, Abdul Alim. "Production cost is comparatively low as it needs less fertilizer."
Speaking on the matter, Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Deputy Director Abdur Razzak said: "We will help farmers in cultivating the paddy on a larger scale if the yields are good."
