Rangpur, Dec. 3 -- As floodwaters receded across northern Bangladesh, the newly deposited silt has turned the sandy river islands of the Teesta, Dharla, Saniyazan and Brahmaputra-known locally as chars-into fertile land, sparking a surge in cultivation.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, the northern rivers contain nearly 786 char areas and communities living there have begun to rebuild their livelihoods following the recent floods.

Agriculturist Sirajul Islam, Additional Director of the Rangpur agricultural region, says this year's cultivation target for the chars has been set at 36,911 hectares, with an expected output of 362,000 tonnes of various crops.

"Char residents are likely to recover through this year's ha...