Bumper Maize Harvest Expected in Chandina: Double Profits Through Intercropping

The vast horizons of Chandina’s agricultural fields are currently blanketed in a sea of green, with healthy maize stalks swaying in the breeze as far as the eye can see. This season, the Chandina Upazila of Cumilla is witnessing the potential for a record-breaking maize harvest. Thanks to favorable weather conditions and intensive supervision from the local agricultural office, farmers are filled with optimism. Due to lower production costs and higher profit margins compared to rice or other traditional crops, farmers in this region are increasingly shifting toward large-scale maize cultivation.According to recent data from the Chandina Upazila Agriculture Office, maize has been cultivated on a total of 685 hectares of land this year. Due to the tireless efforts of agricultural officers and field-level training on modern farming techniques, experts anticipate a significantly better yield than in previous years. The Upazila Agriculture Officer has been personally visiting the fields to provide necessary advice and support, which has greatly boosted the farmers' morale.The scene in Mehar village is particularly encouraging, where a hardworking farmer named Babul Mia cultivated maize on 12 decimals of land. Neighbors are impressed by the freshness and rapid growth of his crop. Babul Mia noted that labor and irrigation costs for maize are relatively low, while market prices and demand remain strong. Furthermore, low pest infestation reduces the need for expensive pesticides, which ultimately increases the final profit margin.An even more innovative approach was taken by Ismail Hossain, a farmer from the same village who maximized his land's potential by planting coriander as an intercrop alongside his maize. He shared that this method required no extra fertilizer or special care. Consequently, he was able to harvest and sell the coriander to cover his initial cultivation costs before the maize even matured. He is now looking forward to a pure profit from his healthy maize stalks.This success is creating a positive ripple effect in the local market. Since maize is in high demand as a primary ingredient for poultry and animal feed, wholesalers are already eager to purchase the produce directly from the fields. The expansion of modern agricultural technology and the growing interest in intercropping have opened a new horizon in Chandina’s agricultural economy. Stakeholders believe that with continued government support and efficient marketing systems, maize cultivation will continue to grow, fulfilling the dreams of thousands of farmers currently waiting for their golden harvest.