DINAJPUR, July 31, 2025 (BSS) - The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target to bring 2,60,860 hectares of land under Aman paddy cultivation in the district during the current season.

Of the total targeted land, the Upshi variety will be cultivated on 2,48,630 hectares, hybrid variety on 11,240 hectares, and local variety on 990 hectares of land, said Deputy Director of the DAE Md. Afzal Hossain.

He said the production target has been set at 8,74,951 metric tons of rice this season. The per hectare production target has been fixed at 3.33 metric tons for Upshi variety, 4.01 metric tons for hybrid, and 1.96 metric tons for local variety.

Seedbeds have already been prepared on 11,550 hectares of land to make the Aman transplantation successful across the district.

According to the DAE office, Aman paddy will be cultivated on 22,190 hectares of land in Sadar upazila, 21,500 hectares in Birol, 16,600 hectares in Bochaganj, 13,700 hectares in Kaharol, 23,350 hectares in Birganj, 13,400 hectares in Khansama, 24,400 hectares in Chirirbandar, 22,750 hectares in Parbatipur, 24,550 hectares in Phulbari, 24,550 hectares in Birampur, 24,460 hectares in Nawabganj, 12,260 hectares in Hakimpur, and 17,150 hectares in Ghoraghat upazila.

Farmers said transplantation of Aman is progressing smoothly this year without any major crisis.

Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) has kept sufficient stock of chemical fertilizers to meet the demand of farmers. A total of 126 listed fertilizer dealers in the district have been supplied with urea, DAP, TSP, and MOP fertilizers as per requirements.

Rostam Ali, Acting District Training Officer of the DAE, said training is being provided to farmers on modern cultivation technologies, crop management, efficient use of fertilizers, and preservation of quality seeds.

"The transplanted Aman seedlings have grown well in the fields, which has raised farmers' hopes of achieving desired yields," he added.

Deputy Director Md. Afzal Hossain also said that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the availability of fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural inputs at the grassroots level during the ongoing season.