Photo : BSS

RANGPUR, Nov 7, 2025 (BSS) - The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target of producing 4,004 tonnes of six varieties of pulses from 2,685 hectares of land in the Rangpur agricultural region during the current Rabi season.

Meanwhile, farmers have already started sowing pulse seeds with great enthusiasm in both the mainland and riverine char areas of all five districts of the region - Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, and Nilphamari.

The fixed target includes the production of 1,679 tonnes of lentil from 1,133 hectares, 1,851 tonnes of khesari from 1,259 hectares, 111 tonnes of arhar (pigeon pea) from 57 hectares, 78 tonnes of gram (chickpea) from 35 hectares, 230 tonnes of mung bean from 170 hectares, and 55 tonnes of cowpea from 31 hectares of land.

In the last 2024-2025 Rabi season, farmers cultivated these six varieties of pulses on 2,697 hectares in the Rangpur agricultural region, against a target of 2,923 hectares.

"Due to crop diversity and the cultivation of vegetables on more land, it was not possible to meet the specific target for pulse cultivation in the last Rabi season," said Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region, Agriculturist Md Sirajul Islam.

However, the DAE and other agriculture-related organizations are providing necessary training and technology to farmers to achieve the fixed target and make the pulse cultivation programme successful this season.

The present interim government, through the DAE, continues to distribute free seeds and fertilizers of lentils, as well as seeds of various pulse varieties, as incentives to motivate small and marginal farmers to increase pulse cultivation.

"In addition, commercial banks are providing easy-term loans to farmers to encourage them to bring more land under pulse cultivation and increase production," said Additional Director Md Sirajul Islam.

Farmers have already brought 395 hectares under cultivation of these six varieties of pulses. The sowing process is expected to continue until mid-February in the region.

With higher production and favorable market prices in recent years, farmers are expected to exceed the pulse cultivation target this season.

Deputy Director at Burirhat Horticulture Centre in Rangpur, Agriculturist Dr Md Abu Sayem, said there is huge potential to increase pulse production in the region through proper crop diversification and relay-system cultivation.

"We have placed special emphasis on exploring the existing potential for increasing pulse production through adoption of the latest agricultural technologies and use of high-yielding seed varieties," he said.

He particularly emphasized increasing the cultivation of pulses alongside other crops and adopting mixed, relay, and intercropping methods to enhance production and achieve self-reliance on pulses by reducing imports.

Farmers Mofizar Rahman, Kalim Uddin, Moksedur Rahman, Mokbul Hossain, and Jahirul Islam of Taraganj upazila, Rangpur, said they have already sown seeds of different pulse varieties on their croplands after harvesting short-duration Aman rice.

"With the progress of Aman rice harvesting, the sowing of pulses will gain full momentum and continue until next February," said farmer Mofizar Rahman.

The farmers were optimistic that, if the weather remains favorable, it will be possible to achieve better pulse production this season.