RAJSHAHI. Aug 7: In spite of lack of sufficient rainfall during the current monsoon. cultivation of transplanted Aman paddy Is going on In full swing.

Sources in local Agriculture Extension Department (AED) of Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) said, tn the early stage of the ongoing Arnon season, farmers waited for sufficient rainfall. That is why transplantation of Aman saplings became late this year.

But afterwards the farmers started transplanting paddy saplings in their fields with help of irrigation water.

At least 65 per cent of the target of Aman paddy transplantation during the current season has so far been achieved. .AED sources said.

AED has a target to cultivate Aman paddy on 76,000 hectares of land in this season.

According to AED official sources. Aman paddy saplings, all of high yielding varieties, have

been transplanted on about 60.000 hectares of land recently.

About 90 per cent land of the total target can be cultivated by the first week of August. AED sources said. The rest land will be cultivated Ln the third and fourth week of August alter Aus paddy and Jute are harvested.

Godagari and Tanorc are the two main paddy producing upazilas. Targets have been fixed to transplant Arnon paddy on 31,220 hectares of land in Godagari and 19,555 hectares of land in Tanorc upazilas.

AED officials are expecting that a total of about 1.64 lakh metric tonnes of Arnon paddy will be produced in the current season.

The harvest depends on some crucial factors like weather availability of fertilisers, protection from pests and so on.

The weather is not favourable from the very beginning of the season.

In last year, local meteorology

office recorded 144 mm ralnlall In May. 348 mm rainfall In June and 347 mm rainfall in July. On the other hand, the rainfall records fall to 198 nun in May, 244 mm in June and 109 mm in the first 27 days in July.

More than 300 mm of rainfall is needed every month in May. June. July and August for cultivation of Aman paddy, AED experts said.

In case of inadequate rainfall, the cost of production will be raised for irrigation, they said.

Supply of fertilisers is normal at present, but AED experts apprehend unusual pest attacks this year.

Most farmers have transplanted Indian Swama variety1 of Aman paddy. It is good in respect of quality of rice and production rate, but very much prone to pest attacks. AED officials said.

Among other varieties, fanners have also cultivated BRRI-10. BRRI 11. BRRI-30, BRR1-32. BRR1-33 and BRRI 39 varieties.