In the Rangpur agricultural region of Bangladesh, the cultivation of various crops on char lands and dried-up riverbeds has been a source of economic strength. Annually, these lands yield over 594,950 tonnes of crops, valued at approximately 1,190 crore Taka ($140 million), across 81,950 hectares. This agricultural activity is instrumental for the local economy, benefiting landless individuals and farmers alike.
Md Obaidur Rahman Mondal, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for Rangpur, highlighted the vitality of crop production in these areas, especially during the winter season. The anticipation for a bumper harvest remains high among char dwellers, with early harvests already showing promising yields. The cultivation practices, including intercropping and mixed-relay methods, have been transformative for the agro-economy of the char regions.
The diversity of crops grown is vast, encompassing potatoes, sweet pumpkins, sesame, linseed, squash, brinjal, onions, carrots, garlic, radishes, green chilies, bottle gourds, bitter gourds, bananas, mustard, pulses, cauliflowers, cabbages, sunflowers, groundnuts, wheat, maize, indigenous varieties of Boro rice, and various vegetables. This extensive cultivation has turned the char areas into lush green landscapes, supporting hundreds of families in their quest for a better life and education for their children.
Agriculturist Md Abu Sayem, Deputy Director at Burirhat Horticulture Centre in Rangpur, noted the significant increase in crop cultivation on char lands over the past three decades. This expansion has notably improved the lives of many living in these regions, including those along the banks of the Teesta, Dharla, Brahmaputra, and Jamuna rivers.
Residents of char villages, such as Gannarpar, Kolkond, Bagdohra, Purbo Mohipur, Paschim Mohipur, and Chhalapak in Gangachara upazila, are currently engaged in the harvest and care of their crops. Notable among them, riverside farmer Nur Hossain, has cultivated maize, potato, garlic, and onion on 1.50 acres of char land this season, with expectations of an excellent yield due to favorable weather conditions. Similarly, Shahinur Islam has also reported successful cultivation of various crops, anticipating higher profits compared to the previous year.
Source: BSS News