The production target of sweet potato in Chandpur is 6,500 MT. Sweet potato cultivation and production targets have been set in Chandpur this year. In the current 2021-22 financial year, the cultivation and production target in all the Upazilas of the district in 300 hectares of land is 6,645 MT.
According to the annual report on cultivation and production targets under the 2021-22 Rabi season at the Department of Agriculture Extension, Farm House, Chandpur, this information was given on Monday, January 18.
Chandpur is one of the major riverine agricultural areas of the country. The river Padma, Meghna, Dhanagoda, and Dakatia flow through the district, and the river basin produces a large crop for agricultural purposes.
This year the production target of sweet potato in Chandpur has been set at 6,500 MT. The target for cultivation is 300 hectares of land.
It is possible to cultivate sweet potatoes in the char areas by giving loan assistance to the farmers. People have a demand for it. Matlab Char Eliot, Char Qasim, Borochar, Raj Rajeswar of Chandpur Sadar, Jahajmara, Lagmimara, Banshgari, Chirar char, Ishanbala of Haimchar, Chargazipur, Monipur, etc.
According to sources in the Department of Agricultural Extension, Farm House, Chandpur, the cultivable area in Chandpur Sadar is 115 hectares and the production target has been set at 2,317 MT.
The cultivable area in Matlab North is 35 hectares and the production target has been set at 705 MT.
The cultivable area in the Matlab South is 20 hectares and the production target is 402 MT.
The cultivable area in Hajiganj is 15 hectares and the production target has been set at 302 MT.
The cultivable area in Shahrasti is 10 hectares and the production target is 201 MT.
The cultivable area in Faridganj is 30 hectares and the production target has been set at 605 MT.
The cultivable area in Haimchar is 60 hectares and the production target has been set at 1,209 MT.
Due to favorable weather conditions, transportation facilities, provision of production technology by the agriculture department, improved communication system, easy availability of agricultural inputs, advice of agriculturists on the use of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, provision of agricultural loans, etc farmers are eager to produce sweet potatoes in the district.
Farmers produce sweet potatoes especially in Matlab of Chandpur and in the char areas of Haimchar. Sweet potatoes can be cultivated at a low cost.
It is widely cultivated in char areas. Sweet potato is suitable for cultivation in sandy soil, wet and riverine areas. Its cultivation is possible without fertilizer and water irrigation. Therefore, the soil and climate of Chandpur char area are suitable for the cultivation of sweet potato, said, agriculturists.
According to doctors, sweet potatoes are an alternative to rice. It contains vitamins A, C and minerals. Which is not in the rice. The human body needs protein, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, vitamin 1 and vitamin 2.
Correspondent: Abdul Ghoni, January 19, 2022