Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) - Farmers in the Khulna agricultural region have completed transplantation of Boro rice seedlings on 96 percent of the targeted land area for the current Rabi season.

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) officials said tender Boro plants are growing well across the region, while farmers are now busy completing the final phase of transplantation.

The DAE, along with other agriculture-related organisations, is providing modern technologies and necessary support to enhance rice production and strengthen the country's food security.

Additional Director of the DAE for Khulna region Md Rafiqul Islam told BSS that farmers in the region-covering Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Narail districts-are putting forth their best efforts to make the intensive Boro cultivation programme a success with government assistance.

The DAE has set a target of producing 12,10,283 tonnes of clean Boro rice from 2,64,719 hectares of land in the Khulna agricultural region this season.

Of the total production target, 8,01,696 tonnes of hybrid Boro rice will be cultivated on 1,62,970 hectares, 4,08,299 tonnes of high-yielding variety (HYV) rice on 1,01,607 hectares, and 288 tonnes of local variety Boro rice on 142 hectares of land.

According to DAE sources, farmers have already transplanted Boro seedlings on 2,53,252 hectares of land-about 96 percent of the fixed target-until February 15.

The DAE, in coordination with other related organisations, including West Zone Power Company Limited (OZOPADICO) and the Rural Electrification Board, is ensuring uninterrupted supply of fertilisers and electricity to facilitate smooth Boro cultivation.

"We expect that enthusiastic farmers will exceed the fixed Boro cultivation target in the region this season," Rafiqul Islam said.

Inspired by the DAE's initiatives, farmers are adopting conservation agriculture (CA)-based technologies, including the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation method, to conserve irrigation water and boost rice production at reduced costs.

Farmers have already applied organic and balanced fertilisers on the targeted 2,64,719 hectares of land, with the process nearing completion, he added.

Transplantation has already been completed in coastal areas. Farmers have also brought more low-lying lands, beels and riverine areas under Boro cultivation and are nurturing the growing plants to ensure harvest before the onset of the rainy season.

Rafiqul Islam urged farmers to adopt CA-based technologies such as AWD irrigation and use balanced and organic fertilisers to achieve maximum yield while reducing costs and conserving groundwater.

Farmers from different villages in Khulna and Bagerhat districts told BSS that they have already completed transplantation of Boro seedlings on their croplands.