Packets of seeds of different varieties are seen in the hands of farmers. Some have mustard in their hands, some have sunflowers and some have maize seed packets in their hands. Farmers are coming out of the agriculture office with smiles on their faces.
This picture has been seen in Hossainpur upazila of Kishoreganj. Farmers of the upazila are becoming interested to increase production by getting these seeds and fertilizers in the Rabi season of 2024-25 fiscal year.
It was known that although the demand for winter seeds has increased in the market, the prices of almost all types of crop seeds have gone up due to the recent floods and instability in the commodity market. As a resulr, farmers are in trouble.
In the current situation, the distribution of free seeds and fertilizers by the agriculture office is a blessing for them. Besides, the lands that the farmers used to leave uncultivated due to various problems. Farmers have been successful in producing crops in those lands by getting free fertilizers and seeds. As a consequence, food production is increasing.
Local agriculture office sources said that under the free incentive program among the farmers to increase the production of wheat, maize, mustard, sunflower, Chinese nut, winter onion, mung, lentil and khesari in the Rabi season of 2024-25 fiscal year. Besides 10 kg DAP per farmer will be distributed free of cost among 1,035 small and marginal farmers of 6 unions and a municipality area of Hossainpur upazila. Seeds of 10 kg of MOP and one bigha of land will be distributed as well.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Anindya Mondal inaugurated the distribution of fertilisers and seeds among the farmers at the Agriculture Office premises on last Monday. Since then, seeds and fertilizers of different varieties are being distributed free of cost among the farmers of different unions in phases.
Farmers of Hossainpur upazila said they do not need to buy seeds and fertilizers for the production of different crops as the government has given incentives. This encourages them to grow more crops.
Deen Islam, a farmer of Dhuljuri village, said, "Every year the agriculture office distributes fertilizers and seeds of different varieties as incentives."
Another farmer, Khaiyum Mia, said preparations are underway to harvest Aman paddy. I will cultivate mustard this time as we get mustard seeds and fertilizers free of cost from the agriculture office.
Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Suraiya Naznin said the fertilisers and seeds are being distributed after preparing a list of farmers at the field level. Free incentive seeds and fertilizers are playing a role in the production and development of agricultural products.
Upazila Agriculture Officer AKM Shahjahan Kabir said farmers of the upazila are being encouraged to cultivate different crops including paddy after getting agricultural incentives. Due to incentives, the production cost of marginal farmers is decreasing. On the other hand, the production of various types of crops including food grains is increasing.
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