News Flash
DINAJPUR, Sept 16, 2025 (BSS) - Farmers in Dinajpur have witnessed a bumper yield of Aus paddy variety - BRRI-98 - this year using modern methods.
Deputy Director (Training) of Dinajpur's Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Md Mustafizur Rahman said the district has achieved bumper yield in the cultivation of the BRRI-98 Aus paddy, an improved variety developed by the agriculture department to create interest among farmers in Aus paddy cultivation.
This season, a target was set for Aus paddy cultivation on 5,150 hectares of land in 13 upazilas of the district. At the beginning of the season, free seeds of the newly invented BRRI-98 variety of Aus, along with chemical fertilizers and pesticides, were distributed among about 6,500 farmers in 13 upazilas of the district in May.
He claimed that the field workers of the DAE have been able to achieve success in Aus paddy cultivation by providing round-the-clock support to the farmers to achieve target in Aus cultivation.
Md Rezaul Karim, former UP member of Karnai village of Chehelgazi union of Dinajpur Sadar upazila, said farmers in Karnai village have cultivated the BRRI-98 variety on cooperatives basis this time.
The farmers are very happy as they were able to harvest the paddy within 3.5 months of Aus cultivation, while 75 to 80 maunds of paddy have been harvested in one acre of land, he said.
The uncultivated land has become more productive by using the seeds, fertilizers and pesticides provided free of cost by the DAE for paddy cultivation. In the current market, Aus paddy is being sold at Taka 1,150 to 1,200 per maund. Additional money is being earned by selling paddy straw. As a result, farmers are able to raise a part of their expenses by
selling straw along with selling paddy.
Md Shariful Islam (42), a farmer of Mohanpur village in Birganj upazila, said in mid-May this year, seed beds were made in the land and seedlings of the BRRI-98 variety of Aus paddy were planted.
With the regular advice of agricultural officers, irrigation, fertilizer and pesticides have contributed to a good yield, he said, adding that the golden beauty of the Aus paddy acquired across the field during this time of Bhadra-Ashwin has filled the hearts of the farmers.
Local farmers say the new variety of Aus has brought them a success.
Farmer Md Abdur Razzak (47) said this year, he cultivated Aus paddy on 75 acres of land. He got 65 maunds of Aus paddy from his paddy land.
Lucas Mardi, an ethnic farmer, said he started cultivating Aus paddy on cooperatives basis since last year.
This time, he cultivated the improved variety BRRI-98 Aus paddy and got a very good yield. Due to cultivating Aus paddy through cooperatives, there is less attack of insects and good yield has been achieved. He hopes to cultivate more Aus paddy of this variety next year.
Another farmer, Mrinal Kanti, said he cultivated Aus paddy on one and a half acres of land. Now the harvesting of paddy has started.
Dinajpur Sadar DAE Field Officer Md Kamrul Islam said since the arable land in this region is a little high and has red soil, it was used for cultivating only Robi crops. Aman or Boro paddy was not cultivated here.
"Aus cultivation has been started by motivating farmers through government initiatives. Now it is possible to produce three crops on that land. Farmers are expressing gratitude to the government for providing free seeds, fertilizers and pesticides to farmers and taking them forward in crop production," he said.
Dinajpur Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdullah Al Masum said in this season, there is a bumper production of Aus paddy on 670 hectares in Sadar upazila.
Farmers have achieved the yield in a short time by cultivating Aus paddy, he said, adding farmers are becoming financially self-sufficient in cultivating Aus paddy by taking new initiatives.
He said the DAE is working on this issue so that more farmers become
interested in cultivating Aus paddy in the future.
