Bumper maize harvest boosts farmers fortune in Jamuna char

Farmers in the river-surrounded char areas of Tangail are elated by bumper maize harvest. Along with securing their livelihoods, they dream of contributing to the national economy.

As the Jamuna River continues to form new char lands, maize cultivation has become common across the district’s 12 upazilas. Due to lower labour and production costs and higher profitability, most marginal farmers have been shifting towards early hybrid maize cultivation in recent years. As a result, maize farming is expanding steadily.

Farmers report that favourable weather conditions have led to a bumper maize harvest across the vast char lands this season. According to them, maize cultivation requires lower investment and yields higher production than other crops, making it a more profitable choice.

According to the Tangail Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), farmers have cultivated maize on 3,045 hectares of land across 12 upazilas during the current Rabi season. Agricultural officials estimate a production of 40,455 metric tons, provided there are no storms or hailstorms to damage the crops.

A field visit to Gabshara and Arjuna-Falda unions, as well as the municipal areas of Bhuapur upazila, revealed maize fields flourishing across the char lands. Farmers are eagerly engaged in cultivation, hoping for a good harvest.

Farmers said that the soil in these char areas is particularly suitable for growing maize, wheat, and pigeon peas, with maize performing the best.

Arman Sheikh, Rahim Talukdar, and Roich Miah, maize farmers from Char Gabshara in Gabshara Union, said, "Every year, floods destroy vegetable fields and other crops in the char areas. However, after the monsoon, silt and loamy soil deposits make the land fertile. This is why we cultivate maize along with other Rabi crops. Compared to previous years, this season's harvest is excellent, and we expect good prices."

Chandu Sheikh from Rampura Char and Gias Uddin from Char Balarampur echoed similar sentiments and said "This year, as floodwaters receded, the deposited silt made the land more fertile, resulting in a bumper harvest."

Last year, maize prices ranged from Tk 900 to Tk 1,500 per maund. Farmers are optimistic about securing even better prices this year.

Gias Uddin, who cultivated maize on 18 bighas of land and leased an additional eight bighas for cultivation, said, "I expect a yield of 25 to 30 maunds per bigha and anticipate earning over Tk 400,000 in profit after covering all expenses."

Bhuapur Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Mokhlesur Rahman said that the government provided 1,000 impoverished farmers with 1 kg of maize seeds, 10 kg of DAP fertilizer, and 5 kg of MOP fertilizer per bigha for free.

He added, "Even paddy fields in the Jamuna char areas are now being used for maize cultivation. These farmers not only aim to improve their own livelihoods but also dream of contributing to the country’s economy."