During the current Robi season, four districts of the Khulna Agriculture zone have exceeded the maize farming target, which is a notable agricultural accomplishment. More than 11.3 thousand tonnes of maize are anticipated to be produced, exceeding the initial goal established for the fiscal year 2023–2024, according to officials.

The initial goal was to cultivate maize on 1,270 hectares of land with a production aim of 11,302 tonnes across Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, and Narail. However, the actual cultivation has covered a total of 1,326 hectares during this Robi season, as confirmed by a representative of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).

Mohon Kumar Ghosh, Additional Director of DAE, Khulna Zone, highlighted the positive trend in maize farming, attributing it to the improved livelihoods of farmers in the Khulna agricultural region over the past few years. In the previous fiscal year (2022-23), the DAE had set a target of producing 10,992 tonnes of maize from 1,238 hectares of land in the four districts of Khulna region.

To achieve this year's production target, various measures were implemented, including the distribution of incentives among farmers and providing need-based training. Notably, small and marginal farmers were supported with free seeds and fertilizers for maize farming.

Specifically, the target for Khulna district was set at producing 3,202 tonnes of maize from 390 hectares of land, resulting in 7 hectares more land coming under cultivation. Similarly, in Bagerhat, the goal was to bring 460 hectares of land under maize cultivation with a production target of 3,749 tonnes.

In Satkhira and Narail districts, 250 and 170 hectares of land respectively were targeted for maize farming, indicating an expansion of maize cultivation on 273 and 177 hectares more land, according to the DAE official.Rustum Ali, a 45-year-old farmer from Sutarkhali union of Dacope Upazila in Khulna district, shared his success story.

Having cultivated maize on 1.5 hectares of land last season, he earned a net profit of around Taka 1.55 lakh. Encouraged by his positive experience, many others in the area have turned to maize farming.Rustum Ali expressed satisfaction with the present market price of maize, which enjoys significant demand in the animal husbandry, poultry farms, and food industries sectors nationwide. This success reflects a promising trend in the agricultural landscape, contributing to the economic upliftment of farmers in the Khulna region.