A new horizon of potential in the agricultural sector has been opened in Cumilla .
Cotton cultivation has started for the first time in the district. Going beyond the cultivation of paddy, wheat, vegetables and other conventional crops for a long time, an enterprising farmer has taken a different initiative through cotton cultivation. The Cotton Development Board has extended its helping hand to make this exceptional effort successful.
Initially, cotton cultivation has been started experimentally on a small-scale land in the Rajarkhala area of Bijoypur Union in Sadar Dakshin Upazila of the district. This initiative was led by local farmer Abu Taher.
On Friday morning, the first cotton cultivation activity in Cumilla was inaugurated on the land of farmer Abu Taher with the technical assistance and incentives of the Cotton Development Board in the Rajarkhala West Cachar area of Bijoypur Union of the district. According to sources from the Cotton Development Board, if the experimental cultivation in Cumilla is successful, there are plans to start cotton cultivation in this region on a larger scale next season. Cotton cultivation for the first time in Cumilla is a groundbreaking step. If it is successful, it is expected to open new horizons in the agricultural sector and create a new source of income for farmers.
Farmer Abu Taher said that no one has ever cultivated cotton in this area or in Cumilla before. Although I was afraid at first, I was encouraged by the support and training of the Cotton Development Board. Sirs have given me three varieties of seeds from Dhaka: CB Hybrid-01, DM-04, Rupali-01. Later, they will provide chemical fertilizers and pesticides. I will do more if I get good yields on this 33rd century land.
Meanwhile, agricultural experts say that cotton cultivation can play an important role not only from an economic perspective, but also in protecting the environment and soil balance. Farmers will benefit more if cotton cultivation is expanded, especially on fallow lands. Executive Director of the Headquarters Cotton Development Board, Rezaul Amin, said that cotton production is still much lower than the country's domestic demand. As a result, a large amount of cotton has to be imported from abroad every year. This dependence can be reduced by expanding cotton cultivation in new areas. They mentioned that the weather and soil of Cumilla are potential for cotton cultivation. An office of the Cotton Development Board will soon be set up in Cumilla . This will benefit cotton farmers. Along with this cotton cultivation, it is possible to produce various types of vegetables on this land. This will make farmers financially profitable by cultivating multiple crops at the same cost.
Chief Cotton Development Officer SM Abdul Baten, Headquarters Project Director Dr. Harun Or Rashid, Sadar Dakshin Upazila Agriculture Officer Mohammad Junaid Kabir Khan and others were present during the planting of experimental cotton seeds.
