Bagha (Rajshahi) Correspondent:
Farmers in the Arani area of Bagha upazila of Rajshahi have started cultivating cotton on small land. Where paddy, wheat, onion and vegetables were the main crops earlier, local farmers are showing interest in cultivating cotton as a new crop.
The cost of production in cotton cultivation is comparatively low and it is considered a profitable crop by farmers as it is in high demand in the market. Although this cultivation has been practiced in Arani for a long time, they have not shown much interest in cultivating cotton for other crops. However, currently, farmers in this area are showing interest in cultivating cotton after seeing the market price and yield of cotton.
A local cotton farmer said, “I have been involved in this cotton cultivation for a long time, this cultivation does not require much expenditure and does not require much care, compared to that we get better prices. As a result, many new farmers are starting this cultivation.”
Md. Hossain Ali, the Cotton Unit Officer of Arani in Rajshahi Zone, said that farmers are being encouraged as the soil and weather are suitable for cotton cultivation. We have been encouraging farmers in this cultivation for a long time. If this cultivation is successful, there is a plan to expand cotton cultivation as an alternative crop in the Arani area. We also provide government assistance to the farmers on our list.
According to agricultural experts, if cotton cultivation increases, local employment will be created and the income of farmers will increase. However, it is possible to get the desired yield only if regular maintenance and modern farming methods are followed.
According to the information of the Cotton Cultivation Extension Department, there are a total of 300 cotton farmers in Bagha and Charghat upazilas, of which 200 are in Bagha and 100 in Charghat. This time, the production target for the two upazilas has been set at 3,000 maunds. This time, a total of 650 bighas of cotton have been cultivated in Charghat and Bagha, of which 200 bighas have been cultivated in Bagha.