Country sees bumper wheat yield this year

The country's wheat cultivation area as well as per hectare yield sees significant rise this year.

At least 5.53 lakh hectares of land in the country has been brought under wheat cultivation this year, showing a 20 per cent rise compared to 4.5 lakh hectares last year while the expected yield is 3.5 tonnes per hectare against last year's 3.03 tonnes, said sources of Wheat Research Centre (WRC) in Dinajpur.  

But despite the good yield, growers are worried due to low market prices while the government authorities are yet to start their procurement drive with the stipulated rate of Tk 28 per kg.

During a recent visit to different markets in Dinajpur, this correspondent found a maund of wheat selling for Tk 750 to 800, which is Tk 100 to 150 less than last year's.

Dr ZI Sarker, principal scientific officer of WRC in Dinajpur, said the centre so far developed 30 wheat varieties. Of them, Bari Gom-26 and Bari Gom-30 introduced last year are being widely used by farmers for their high yielding quality.  

"With better care, it is possible to get five tonnes of wheat per hectare. The country's annual demand of wheat is 42 lakh tonnes but the average production is only 14 lakh tonnes. However, this year the yield would be around 19.4 lakh tonnes. It is possible to increase wheat production to meet the total demand, if fair price is ensured for farmers," he said.