Waliullah Emran, Barguna

Crop fields in Barguna are covered with raw and ripe golden Aman paddy.

It looks like gold mercury is lying in the rice fields. After facing various disasters, farmers have achieved good yields and their foreheads are slightly evened out, and a smile of joy is spreading on their faces. Some are sowing seeds for wheat and khasari cultivation in the rice paddy fields as an additional crop before bringing the ripe golden Aman rice home.

When you run into nature and go to different areas including Burirchar in Sadar Upazila, Ayla-Patakata Union and Nalbunia village in Sharikkhali Union in Taltoli Upazila, you see such a beautiful scene from both sides of the road among the golden Aman rice. When you talk to the farmers, they tell stories of success after overcoming various hardships.

According to the Agriculture Office, the Agriculture Department distributed relief to marginal farmers affected by Cyclone Rimal and heavy rains. In two phases, 5 kg of Aman seeds and 20 kg of two types of Sir were distributed to 21,800 affected farmers in six upazilas.

Farmer Jahangir Hossain of Ayla-Patakata Union said that Aman seeds were destroyed due to Cyclone Rimal. After collecting seeds through various efforts and cultivating Aman rice, it can be seen that the plants have yielded well so far. Even if I feel good, I will be completely satisfied if I take the rice home after it ripens.

Farmer Arjun Bipado of Burirchar Union said, this year I have cultivated Aman on 30 percent of the land. The weather was favorable after Rimal in the current Aman season. However, since the rainfall was sufficient after planting the rice plants, the rice got the right amount of water and the rice yield has also improved.

When asked about wheat cultivation in paddy fields using the rally method in Nalbunia village of Taltali, farmer Idris Mia said, "In 2023, in the research of University of Australia researcher Dr. Mrinmoy Guha Niyogi, 20 farmers in Nalbunia village have succeeded in cultivating wheat in paddy fields using this rally method. This year, many farmers from different areas have planted wheat seeds in paddy fields on their own initiative. In addition, my paddy plants have produced a very good crop.

The Agriculture Office said that this year, the target of Aman seedbed is 8707 hectares of land. 8707 hectares of land have been planted. The target of Aman cultivation is 99492 hectares of land. Aman has been planted on 99132 hectares of land. This year, the target of 3-4 MT of paddy production has been set for every 1 hectare of land.

Researcher Mrinmoy Niyogi said that this year, farmers have had to deal with various disasters and are feeling somewhat relieved after getting a crop of raw paddy in the golden crop field. Before harvesting the ripe paddy, they are busy cultivating wheat and khasari.

He also said that many are using the rally method to cultivate wheat and khasari between Aman paddy. However, this method will be easy and successful. Not only wheat, but also mustard and rabi crops can be cultivated in the paddy field using this technology. If cultivated in mid-November, the crop can be harvested in mid-February. This will benefit the farmers a lot and keep their faces smiling all the time.

Deputy Director of Khamarbari, Department of Agricultural Extension, Barguna Dr. Abu Syed Md. Jobaidul Alam said that the hidden dream of the farmer lies in the raw-ripe golden Aman paddy. This year, despite many adversities, farmers are smiling a little bit after seeing the yield of Aman rice. However, if the harvest remains like this until the farmer takes the golden Aman rice home, the farmer's smile will be complete.

The agricultural office and various companies and NGOs have provided support and advice to the farmers, and the farmers have also worked tirelessly. Due to this, the harvest has been comparatively good. So now the farmers are feeling relieved. I hope that the farmers will get a good market price for Aman rice this year. In addition, they will produce good crops by cultivating wheat and khasari in the rally system and turn the economic wheels of the family in favor.