Today is our topic of discussion Reading about agricultural technology

Reading about agricultural technology

Read what the Agricultural Extension Officer (AEO) and some villagers are talking about.

 

Fig : AEO talking to villagers

ΑΕΟ : Do you know why the food that you grow is not enough for you?

Jamil : We don’t have enough land to grow food for all of us. We’ve grown in number, but our land hasn’t grown in size.

AEO : Yes.

Rabeya : And also we are trying to get too much from our land. We are growing as many as three crops every year.

ΑΕΟ : You’re very right. The land that used to produce enough food for 6 people 30 years ago, now cannot produce food for 60 people.

Sharif : What shall we do then?

AEO : What do you think you should do?

Rabeya : We are too many. We should keep our family within a reasonable size.

AEO : Yes. But we should also do something more. And that’s what I’m going to talk about today with you. The rice that our farmers usually grow cannot meet our need. We need MVs that have been developed by BRRI for increased production. The traditional method that the farmers follow in cultivating the land cannot increase production.

You have to use modern agricultural technology to increase production. All this means you have to use MV seeds and mechanised implements or tools. Also you have to learn how to use them. For example, instead of the old wooden plough that is drawn by bullocks you should use the power tiller.

Similarly, You can use a seed-drill, a paddy weeder, a power pump and a knapsack sprayer for efficient cultivation and increased production.

 

Fig : Seed-drill

A power tiller can perform deep ploughing, harrowing, removing deep- rooted weeds, opening new lands, etc. A seed-drill is used for seeding rice, wheat, jute mustard, etc. It weighs about 15 kg.

These mechanised tools can do the jobs they are made for much faster and more efficiently than humans and animals. Also the present high price of bullocks often compels the farmers to go for mechanised implements. However, such problems as unavailability of fuel, spare parts, lack of practical training for the users, etc. should be solved before the tools are used widely and practically.

Put T against a statement that is true and F against one that is false. If a statement is false write why it is so. Write the names of the speakers of true statements.

1. We cannot grow enough food for us.

2. Our farmers grow only two main crops a year.

3. Our land is limited.

4. More children in a family can work for the betterment of their family life.

5. The same land that now produces food for a large number of people used to produce food in the past for a small number of people.

 

 

6. The farmer and his cows can work in the fields more quickly than machines.

7. The farmers should be trained in how to use mechanised tools efficiently.

 

Today is our topic of discussion Reading about a process

Reading about a process

Look at the pictures and read the passage.

 

Fig : Seeds

Plants grow out of seeds. Seeds remain in a dormant state, if they are kept in a cool and dry condition. But when they are sown or put in a moist soil, they begin to grow or germinate. However, there are certain conditions for the germination of seeds. First, seeds must be alive.

They die when they are dried and kept at a very high temperature. If only the amount of moisture in the soil is of right level the seeds germinate. The soil can be too dry or too cold. In either case, seeds will not germinate.

In the first stage of germination the radicle or the root within the seed comes out.

 

Fig : Radicle

The radicle begins to grow downwards. Also the main shoot comes out from the seed and appears above the surface of the soil.

Fig : Stem and leaves

Then gradually the root system begins to spread through the soil. Also the shoot begins to grow and produce stems and leaves.

Study these words.

dormant (adj) – inactive; in a resting state. ‘A seed remains dormant’ means it is not growing now, but it is capable of growing later on.

moist (adj) – slightly wet

moisture (n) – water; tiny drops of water

germinate (v) – grow

radicle (n) – the primary root

shoot (n) – a plant that has just began to grow

stem (n) – thin, upright part of a plant

Complete these sentences.

1. If you keep a seed in a cool and dry condition, it will

2. When a seed is dried and kept at a very high temperature, it

3. A seed germinates when.

 

 

4. A seed does not germinate

5. The radicle or the root comes out when

6. If the seeds are dead.

 

Today is our topic of discussion Reading charts and diagrams 2

Reading charts and diagrams 2

Read the chart to answer the following questions.

 

 

Fig : Chart showing a list of high-yielding modern rice varieties developed by BRRI

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Publication No. 119

February 1997

Gazipur-1701

Ask and answer five questions about each variety.

Example: BR11

1. Q: What’s the name of BR11?

A: It is called Mukta.

2. Q: When was it released?

A: It was released in 1980.

3. Q: When is it grown well?

A: It is grown well in T Aman season.

4. Q: How long does it take to grow?

A: It takes 140-145 days to grow.

5. Q: How much does it grow?

 

 

A: It grows about 5.5 – 6.5 tons per hectare.

You can ask the questions in random order. For example, about the same BR11 MV rice you can begin asking question 4 instead of question 1. You don’t have to ask exactly five questions. You can ask only 2/3 questions for each variety. Also you needn’t ask questions on all the 31 varieties. Now ask 15 questions on any 4 varieties and say/write answers to them.

Study these words.

yield (v/n) -bear; produce. This mango tree did not yield (v) any fruit last year, but its yield (n) this year is satisfactory.

year of release – The year when a particular variety of rice was fully developed and ready for use in the field. In other words, it was the year when a variety was introduced to the public for its growth/cultivation.

t/ha – ton per hectare.

 

 

Today is our topic of discussion Reading charts and diagrams 1

Reading charts and diagrams 1

Read the chart and the following text.

 

Fig : Chart showing total production and MV share

A rice research institute was established in 1970 at Joydebpur. After independence in 1971 the institute became known as Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRD). The Institute developed some 31 high-yielding Modern Varieties (MVS) of rice between 1970-95.

The chart above shows how BRRI MVs have greatly contributed to the total rice production in the country. Ask and answer the questions in complete sentences.

Ask two types of question.

Type A: You can ask questions about the total rice production at different times.

Type B: You can also ask questions about the contribution or share of MV rice to the total rice production.

 

 

Example-type A

Q: What was the total rice production in 1989?

A: The total rice production in 1989 was about 16 million tons.

Example – type B

Q: What was the contribution or share of MV rice to total rice production between 1970-75?

A: The contribution of MV rice to total rice production was 24% in 1970-75.

Study these words.

contribute (v, pt & pp contributed ) – to help to make something successful; to add something to something

production (n) – growth

Activity Write a short paragraph for each 5-year period mentioned on the chart. The first paragraph for the 1970-75 period is done for you :

 

 

1. The total rice production during 1970-75 (or between 1970 and 1975) was about 11 m tons and the MV rice production (or the production of MV rice) during the period is about 3 m tons. So this contributed about 24% to the total production.