Khulna:Farmers in the Khulna region are anticipating a bumper harvest of Aman paddy this season, with cultivation surpassing the target and harvesting activities proceeding at full speed.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) reported that Aman paddy was cultivated on 2,90,009 hectares across Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, and Narail districts, exceeding the target of 2,89,859 hectares and achieving 100.1 percent of the target. The production target is set at 8,56,974 tonnes of rice, equivalent to approximately 11.05 lakh tonnes of paddy.
Favourable weather conditions have contributed to better yields, with farmers harvesting paddy from dawn to dusk since late October. The DAE noted that initial drought-like conditions hampered transplantation, but subsequent rainfall facilitated satisfactory crop growth. Efforts by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) in distributing quality seeds, along with the timely supply of fertilisers and other inputs, have significantly aided production.
Md Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director of the DAE in the Khulna Region, highlighted the department's role in providing training on modern agricultural technologies and crop management. As of November 5, around 11,044 hectares of land had been harvested, with completion expected by December. The DAE reported varied progress across districts, with 17.5 percent of harvesting completed in Narail.
Farmers in coastal areas expressed satisfaction with the full cultivation of available land, expecting the harvest to aid in meeting national food demands. Despite challenges such as pest infestations, farmers like Tara Dhali and Abdul Baten have seen promising yields, with Baten reporting an increase from 17 maunds per bigha last year to 17.5 maunds this year.
Involving schoolchildren in the harvest, farmers aim to expedite the process, a practice noted by Alamgir Mia from Rupsha upazila. The current season's success marks an improvement over last year, where cultivation fell short of targets.