Agricultural Minister Dr M Abdur Razzaque said only one crop, Aman paddy, is produced annually and the rest of the time throughout the year fallen idle in most of the lands of Barishal region.
"The government is working relentlessly to bring this huge fallow land under cultivation...in the meantime, the scientists of the country have developed improved varieties of rice, pulses, watermelon and other crops," he said.
Additional Secretary of the ministry M Ruhul Amin Talukder, Director General of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Shahjahan Kabir and others concerned were present.
Developed Boro paddy has been planted on fallow land for the first time in about 100 bighas of land in Bakerkathi village, a press release of the ministry said.
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute has been encouraging the farmers to cultivate Boro Paddy by providing irrigation facilities through low-lift pump (LLP).