Photo: BSS

MANIKGANJ, April 19, 2026 (BSS) - Farmers in the district are expecting a bumper production of maize as harvesting is going on in full swing in all seven upazilas.

The cultivation of maize, the highest grown cash crop in the district, has increased over the past years due to easy farming methods and strong market demand.

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources said it had set a target to cultivate maize on 15,000 hectares of land during the current season, with a production target of 145,821 metric tons across the seven upazilas of the district.

However, maize was cultivated on 17,075 hectares of land, exceeding the fixed target by more than 2,075 hectares during the current season.

Manikganj DAE Deputy Director Shahjahan Siraj said easy cultivation methods, low irrigation requirements, and strong market demand are the main reasons behind the rise in maize cultivation in the district.

Farmers said maize can be cultivated more than once on the same land, which encourages them to grow more of the crop.

Md Hafiz Uddin, 51, a maize cultivator from Char Matta village under Manikganj Sadar upazila, said the green leaves of maize are used as cattle fodder, while the stalks and residues are used as firewood.

Md Mohor Ali, 40, of Char Harihardi village under Harirampur upazila, said most sandy lands that had remained uncultivated for a long time have now been brought under maize cultivation, and farmers are getting good yields.