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Kachua upazila in the district has seen a bumper maize harvest this year, bringing a wave of enthusiasm among local farmers, especially as maize gains importance as a key ingredient in fish feed.

With its lower production costs compared to rice and a higher market price, maize— often dubbed the ‘golden grain’— are quickly becoming the crop of choice for many. Its growing popularity marks a promising shift in agricultural trends across the region, said officials of Upazila Agriculture Office. 

They said that maize had become an essential feed for fish, driving up its demand. As a result, hundreds of fish farmers in the region are now growing maize for their own use and selling the excess on local markets. 

This year, maize has been cultivated on 145 hectares of land in Kachua, an increase of 15 hectares from the previous year. The crop is widely grown in the Shialkathi, Chotoboga, and Madartala areas of the upazila.

According to the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, maize can be grown twice a year— during the Rabi and Kharif  seasons. Maize sowing typically occurs from October to November for the Rabi season while between February 15 and March 30 for the Kharif season. 

The crop takes about 125-130 days to mature in the Rabi season and 80-90 days in the Kharif season. Average yields per hectare are around 3.5-4 tonnes during Rabi and 2.5-3.5 tonnes during Kharif.

Maize sales have surged across Kachua, reflecting its profitability. The entire plant is useful: green leaves serve as cattle fodder, stalks are used as fuel, and husks and other residues are also sold. These by-products help farmers recoup cultivation costs.

While talking to farmers, they said that maize cultivation on one acre of land costs approximately Tk 17,000, with an average yield of 30 kilogram per 100 decimal. The crop is sold at Tk 1,300-1,400 per maund.

Md Sabur Sheikh, a farmer from Madartala village in Gojalia Union of the upazila, told BSS that last year he earned Tk 1 lakh from one acre of maize. This year, he expanded cultivation by an additional 50 decimals and expects to earn Tk 2.5 lakh. 

He said that maize was a viable alternative to costly fish meal and has started drying and storing his own maize for use in his fisheries.

Another farmer Nurul Islam Sikder of Madartala said that he earned Tk 74,000 last year from maize grown on 74 decimals. This year, he has expanded cultivation to 1.5 acres and hopes to earn at least Tk 80,000 more. He credited the higher yield to fewer pest attacks and improved irrigation.

Farmer Shafayet Hossain, also from Madartala, said that he sold his maize crop at Tk 1 lakh last year. This season, he is optimistic about increasing earnings by an additional Tk 75,000.

Maize is marketed across several areas including Fatepur, Jatrapur, Nazirpur, Baburhat and Khezur Tola in Bagerhat along with Kachua, Gojalia, Badhal and Bhasha. 

Buyers also visit farms directly to purchase the produce. Even before harvest, green maize leaves are sold for use as cow fodder, and dried stalks are in demand as fuel - ensuring no part of the crop goes to waste.

Tushar Kanti Saha, deputy assistant agriculture officer for Gojalia Union, stated that although there was no direct government incentive for maize cultivation this year, the Upazila Parishad (UP) distributed seeds to 120 farmers. Despite limited support, maize farming expanded significantly, he said. 

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has been providing continuous technical guidance throughout the cultivation process, he added.

Akash Bairagi, agriculture officer of Kachua upazila, said maize requires significantly less irrigation than paddy. Last year, maize worth Tk 3.5 crore was sold in Kachua and this season, sales are expected to surpass at Tk 4.5 crore, he added.