Dhaka: Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman today announced that a bumper production of Boro paddy has been achieved in seven haor districts of the northeastern region of the country during the current season. He highlighted that 84.81 percent of the targeted paddy crop has already been harvested successfully.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, farmers are relieved as they harvest their crops, overcoming fears of damage due to heavy rainfall and the onrush of water from upstream areas. This update was shared by the adviser during a weekly press briefing at the PID conference room.
Zahed Ur Rahman detailed that Boro cultivation covered 455,153 hectares of land across the seven districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, and Netrokona. Updated information from the Ministry of Agriculture indicates that harvesting has been completed on 374,757 hectares so far.
The adviser also addressed concerns regarding the potential submergence of paddy due to recent heavy rains and upstream water flow. He noted that paddy on approximately 1,315 hectares was submerged following rains starting on May 7, which accounted for a mere 0.29 percent of the total cultivated land. Fortunately, no significant damage occurred as water levels receded quickly and weather conditions stabilized, easing uncertainties about production.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to food security, Zahed Ur Rahman mentioned that the internal Boro procurement drive began on May 3. By May 10, the government procured 1,510 metric tonnes of paddy and 4,050 metric tonnes of rice. The target for the current season is to procure 18 lakh metric tonnes of paddy and rice, including 500,000 tonnes of paddy, 12 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice, and 100,000 tonnes of atop rice.
The adviser also conveyed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s call for the younger generation to engage in agriculture and other productive sectors. He highlighted the government’s efforts to make agriculture more profitable and sustainable by modernizing the sector and ensuring fair prices for farmers.