Confusing productivity signals

In fact that was the point in time when contrary to doomsday predictions, the GDP growth rate increased. But we better not rest our oars on soil enrichment following the floods. There is quite a plateful on our hands in terms of what need to be done to salvage agriculture. For one thing, even though the floods have delayed Aman cultivation there is still scope for a reasonably good Aman-Aus harvest. On the inputs front, the BADC is inhibited by two factors. First, it had distributed most of the seeds in its stocks before the floods struck. To be able to cater for the farmers' urgent need the BADC will have to import seeds, but there is very little time for them to procure these from abroad. The Aman season is fast running out, so that the decision to provide seedlings rather than seeds to the farmers is a good one.

Seeds or seedlings, farmers are actually getting very little of these even though they have heard broadcasts over radio and television claiming steady supplies of inputs to farmers. They do not seem to know where to go to procure these.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The bottom line is whether it's a matter of salvaging Aman crop or that of making good its loss through a Boro bumper, timeliness of inputs supply holds the key to success.