New technology of broadcast aman rice (deep water rice)

New technology of broadcast aman rice (deep water rice) for improving cropping intensity in medium low land and low land in Bangladesh

Dr. Md. Abul Khayer Mian

Broadcast aman is an important rice type in Bangladesh. Before boro rice cultivation in Bangladesh, most of the area was covered by this rice type. Numerous local cultivars were grown as broadcast aman rice or deep water rice. After 1980-90, boro rice began to extend in most of the low lands. Consequently, most of the local broadcast aman cultivars are gone to genetic erosion or extinct. Recently, the cleaver farmers are practicing deep water rice after boro rice in low land or medium low land. Bangladesh occupies 2.52 million hectare of low and medium low land (BBS, 2008). It is about 17% of the total land area of the country.  But only 0.43 million hectare (8% of low land) is under cultivation of broadcast aman rice producing 0.51 million tons of grain. About 92% is remained fallow. There is a grater scope for utilization of this land by sowing deep water rice (broadcast aman rice). Although, its yield is low (1.19 t/ha) (AIS, 2012) but can play a vital role in improving cropping intensity in low land and help to increase rice production in the country. If 50% of this fallow land comes under cultivation, the country will be benefited producing 1.0 million ton of rice grain. The planner and the relevant authority of the government should take it into account for improvement of food grain production of the country. It is a very simple technology. About 110-120 kg/ha of seed will be broadcast and then the land will be ploughed one time with power tiller. Only, 200-220 kg/ha of urea will be topdressed after weeding. One weeding is sufficient at 20-40 days after emergence. Average grain yield is 1.5-1.6 t/ha (Farmer’s observation). The author experienced practically of this technology in his native area at Faridpur region in Bangladesh.