BSS: A proper application of herbicides adopting recommended weed management methods could substantially increase food production along with saving huge crops worth over Taka 7,000 crore annually, reports BSS. “An effective weed management side by side with adopting conservation agriculture technologies remarkably increases crop output,” said noted Agriculturist Dr. Md. Abdul Mazid, who got the Independence Award 2018 Medal (food security) this year. While talking to this correspondent in Rangpur, Dr Mazid, a former chief scientific officer and head of agronomy division of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, made these observations citing various national and international level research findings. In Bangladesh, he said unrestricted growth of weeds causes damage up to 37 percent crop yields with 32.2 percent loss in food crops, including 41.3 percent in cereals, 31.2 percent in pulses, 40.8 percent in oilseeds and 39.2 percent in fiber crops. “We can save huge crops by improving knowledge of extension officers and herbicide traders to disseminate latest climate smart technologies to the farmers in group approach to effective weed management methods and safer use of herbicides,” he said. Dr Mazid also discussed wide range of topics on the extent of crop damage due to the growth of different kinds of weeds.

depending on land types and seasons and topographical locations of the crop zone.