KHULNA : The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target to prepare Aman rice seedbeds on 16,464 hectares of land across the Khulna agricultural region during the current season to ensure an adequate supply of seedlings for transplantation.

According to the DAE, the target includes 12,340 hectares for high-yielding Aman varieties, 1,510 hectares for hybrid varieties and 2,614 hectares for local varieties.

Meanwhile, farmers in all four districts under the Khulna agricultural region have already started preparing Aman seedbeds, with the activities expected to gather momentum by the first week of August under favourable weather conditions.

The government has set a target of producing 871,971 tonnes of clean Aman rice from 289,859 hectares of land in the region this season.

The production goal includes 670,064 tonnes of high-yielding Aman from 220,442 hectares, 115,661 tonnes of hybrid Aman from 30,216 hectares, and 86,246 tonnes of local Aman from 39,201 hectares.

During the previous season, farmers produced 871,940 tonnes of clean Aman rice by cultivating the crop on 298,635 hectares across the region.

As of July 22, Aman seedbeds had been prepared on 5,852 hectares of land, said Md. Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director of the DAE for the Khulna region.

The government has undertaken a series of initiatives to boost Aman production despite the gradual decline in cultivable land. These include promoting balanced fertilizer application, expanding the use of improved farming technologies and providing quality seeds and fertilizers to small and marginal farmers as incentives.

To avert any shortage of seedlings during floods, the DAE is also preparing seedbeds for late Aman varieties on higher land and floating seedbeds in low-lying areas.

In addition, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) will keep irrigation pumps ready across the region to facilitate timely transplantation if rainfall remains insufficient or drought conditions arise.

“DAE officials are providing necessary assistance, training and the latest technologies to farmers to ensure the successful cultivation of Aman rice,” Rafiqul Islam said.

“Enthusiastic farmers are now preparing Aman seedbeds and croplands simultaneously, as favourable climatic conditions prevail across the region,” he added.

Meanwhile, the government has distributed high-yielding Aman paddy seeds among 44,000 farmers across the Khulna agricultural region, comprising Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Narail districts, to support seedbed preparation and the ongoing Aman cultivation season.

According to DAE data, the distribution was completed last week, benefiting 15,000 farmers in Khulna, 8,000 in Bagerhat, 15,000 in Satkhira and 6,000 in Narail.