Khulna:Farmers in the Khulna agriculture region have exceeded their Aman rice cultivation target, achieving 100.1% of the goal this season. This success is attributed to a canal-digging program that has alleviated waterlogging in low-lying areas and balanced rainfall.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) set a plantation target of 299,859 hectares, aiming for a production of 856,974 tonnes of clean rice across Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, and Narail districts. The government provided over Taka 6 crore to 75,400 farmers to promote Ropa Aman production.
Farmers cultivated Aman rice on 290,010 hectares, surpassing the target by 151 hectares. In Khulna district alone, 87,469 hectares were cultivated against a target of 88,351 hectares, with an expected yield of 408,308 metric tonnes of paddy.
In Bagerhat, 68,706 hectares were cultivated, slightly below the target of 68,893 hectares, aiming for 271,688 metric tonnes of paddy. Satkhira saw cultivation on 90,160 hectares, exceeding the target of 89,150 hectares, with a production goal of 398,780 metric tonnes of paddy. Narail surpassed its target, cultivating 43,675 hectares against the goal of 43,465 hectares, expecting 206,686 metric tonnes of paddy.
The farmers are optimistic about achieving excellent prices for the coarse variety Aman paddy, anticipating local market rates between Taka 1,350 and Taka 1,400 per maund (40 kg). Md Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director of DAE in Khulna, expressed hope that farmers would benefit from favorable market prices this season.