Rajshahi:Farmers in the Rajshahi region have commenced the harvesting of Aman paddy, with fields across the Barind region displaying abundant golden crops. Early rains this year facilitated the farmers' efforts in Aman cultivation, leading to an anticipated early arrival of paddy to their homes.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the favorable weather conditions have contributed to the robust growth of Aman paddy, surpassing previous years. Field-level Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers indicated that the region is fully utilized for cultivation, which is expected to help alleviate the country's food deficit.
The Rajshahi District Department of Agricultural Extension reported that the target for Aman cultivation was set at 76,224 hectares, while actual cultivation spanned 77,523 hectares. Across the broader Rajshahi region, including the districts of Naogaon, Natore, and Chapainawabganj, over 350,000 hectares have been cultivated.
Farmer Abdul Quddus from Chuniapara village mentioned cultivating Aman on 15 bighas this season, noting that despite pest and rat infestations, the yield is expected to be better than in previous years. Tanore Upazila Agriculture Officer Saifullah Ahmed highlighted the continuous rainfall since the start of the Aman season, which has enabled 100% cultivation of Aman varieties such as Swarna, Ekanno, BRRI Dhan-87, and BINA Dhan-17.
These varieties are recognized for their water-saving and high-yielding properties. As the paddy ripens in the fields, small-scale harvesting has begun, with expectations of a bumper harvest despite current low market prices for paddy.