High quality yield of maize in the char areas of Sariakandi in Bogra district has interested the local farmers into producing more maize. A visit to Pakerdah, Kotapur and Anandabazar areas of Kajla union in Sariakandi explained that high yield and profit through maize cultivation has brought a sudden shift in land use of char areas by local farmers. Raju Sarker, a farmer from Pakerdah, said: “Previously local maize yield was 10 to 15 maunds [1 maund = around 37kg] per bigha [0.16 hectares]. The upazila agriculture officials believe that the incentives provided by them also played an important part in the increased interest among the farmers. Upazila agriculture officer Shahaduzzaman said: “The annual target maize yield for this year is 17,640 metric tonnes, which will be worth about Tk31 crore.”

Source: Dhaka Tribune March 10, 2017 11:36 UTC