Bumper production of Binatil-2 variety in Gopalganj, Rajbari dists

Gopalganj and Rajbari districts have produced bumper production of high yielding sesame of Binatil-2 variety with medicinal properties, developed by Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (Bina) this season.

Saurabh Adhikari, scientific officer of Gopalganj Bina sub-center office of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (Bina), said the farmers of two districts got a production of 1,700 kgs of seeds by cultivating of Binatil-2 variety per hectare of land this season.

The weather was favorable for sesame cultivation this season. The field of the sesame was not attacked by insect spiders. As a result, a bumper production of Binatil-2 sesame has improved, he said.

After 90 days of sowing, the farmer harvests of the high-yielding Binatil-2 sesame crops from the field at their home. Sesame farmers of the Gopalganj and Rajbari districts earned double benefit twice more than jute by cultivating of Binatil-2 sesame, Saurabh Adhikari said.

Medicinal properties of this sesame oil are resistant to skin diseases and heart disease and this oil in very important in hair care. By increasing the cultivation of Binatil-2 variety of sesame, it is possible to reduce the import dependency of edible oil in the country.

The farmers of the two districts have expressed their interest day by day this Binatil-2 variety cultivation as the production is profitable, Saurabh Adhikari, scientific officer of Gopalganj Bina sub-center office said.

He also said that 50 farmers cultivated 50 plots of Binatil-2 on 50 bighas of land in Gopalganj and Rajbari districts in the current season. Seeds, fertilizers, fungicides are provided to the farmers of the districts free of cost from Bina sub-centre office.

Besides, the scientists and scientific assistants of Bina sub-centre office have given necessary advice to the farmers of the two districts. By cultivating Binatil-2 sesame on the advice of Bina sub-center office, he said.

Rafiq Sikder, a farmer of Fukra village of Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj district, said, this season “I got free seeds, fertilizers and fungicides from Bina sub-centre office and cultivated Binatil-2 for the first time on my land. Scientists officials of sub-center have come to the field and gave necessary suggested. This year, the weather was suitable for Binatil-2 sesame cultivation and no insect attack. As a result of this, I got a bumper yield of sesame seeds. Seeing the sesame in my field, the neighboring farmers are showing interest to cultivate sesame next year”.

Another farmer Arafat Sardar of the same village in Gopalganj district, said that after 90 days of sowing, I have harvested the sesame from the field at my home. Now, I can cultivate other crops in the same filed. Besides, I have gained double benefit twice more than jute by cultivating Binatil-2 sesame”.

Dr. Kamruzzaman, senior scientific officer and in-charge of Gopalganj Bina sub-center office, said by cultivating Binatil-2, the farmer can produce three crops per year on the same land. As a result increases crop production and farmers benefit financially.

Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Mafroza Akhtar said 45 percent of oil is found in this type of sesame because this sesame has many medicinal properties.

Director General (DG) of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (Bina) Dr. Mirza Mofazzal Islam said that the government has taken initiatives to reduce the import dependence of edible oil.

For that purpose, we are working to increase cultivation of edible oil in the country. Last mustard season produced more mustard than the target. For this purpose we are working to increase cultivation of edible oil in the country.

He said, “If the Binatil-2 variety cultivation can be expanded, oil import dependency can be reduced. As result, famers’ income will be increased and foreign exchange will be saved”. (BSS)