Rangamati:A golden hue has spread across the rolling hills of Rangamati as ethnic farmers rush to harvest ripe jhum paddy, marking one of the most important periods in the traditional agricultural calendar of the Chattogram Hill Tracts. Across the district, hillsides are dotted with mature paddy fields interwoven with a variety of companion crops, presenting a colorful landscape that reflects the unique farming heritage of the region's ethnic communities.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, jhum cultivation is one of the oldest livelihood practices of the 13 ethnic groups living in the three hill districts and remains deeply rooted in their culture and economy. The farmers engaged in this traditional form of shifting cultivation are known locally as "jhumias." The cultivation method, practiced for generations, involves growing crops on sloping hill terrain. Different ethnic languages refer to jhum cultivation with various names, such as "Jhum" in Chakma and Tanchangya, "Hu" in Tripura, and "Ya" in Marma, among others.
Local farmer Nana Chakma from the Assam Basti-Kaptai-Morghona road area described the lengthy preparation process. Suitable hill slopes are selected and cleared, after which vegetation is left to dry in the sun for more than a month before being burned. Seeds are then sown from late Chaitra to early Baishakh after removing remaining weeds. Another farmer, Ananda Chakma from the Boradam area, highlighted the mixed-cropping system of jhum cultivation, where crops like bananas, maize, chili, and others are planted alongside paddy.
The hills are home to a wide range of indigenous paddy varieties, including Harin Bini, Padhattara, Amei, and many others. According to farmers, the paddy begins to ripen during the months of Ashar and Shraban, with harvesting generally starting from Bhadra and Ashwin. This year's harvest has been particularly encouraging due to the absence of significant pest attacks, leading to good yields.
Deputy Director of the Rangamati Department of Agricultural Extension Md Moniruzzaman reported that jhum cultivation has been carried out on about 5,000 hectares of land in the district this year, with a production target of 12,000 metric tonnes of paddy and 25,000 metric tonnes of vegetables and other crops. However, he cautioned against repeated cultivation on the same land due to potential reductions in productivity and urged farmers to seek guidance from agricultural extension officials for sustainable practices.
For many ethnic families, the annual jhum harvest is more than an agricultural activity; it is a centuries-old tradition that sustains livelihoods, preserves cultural identity, and continues to shape life in the hills of Rangamati.