United News of Bangladesh

At least 386 houses have been washed away by severe erosion along the Teesta River in five northern districts over the past seven days, leaving hundreds of families homeless. The erosion has intensified at 113 points in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Kurigram, according to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). Ahsan Habib, superintending engineer of the BWDB Rangpur regional office, said the situation has worsened rapidly in recent days. “Erosion has intensified at 113 points in the five districts while 386 houses have been washed away in the past seven days,” he said. He said there was insufficient allocation for erosion-control measures and the matter has been brought to the ministry’s attention. In Gaibandha’s Sundarganj upazila, erosion has taken a particularly heavy toll on people living along the riverbank in Kapasia Union. In Singijani and Bhorer Pakhi areas, residents said the river current increased suddenly, causing sections of the riverbank to collapse one after another. Many families could not save their furniture, rice, clothes and other belongings as their houses collapsed. Shahidul Islam, a resident of the area, said the erosion was so rapid that people barely had time to move their belongings to safety. Ahad Mia said families are now facing an uncertain future after losing their homes and land. Sundarganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Iffat Jahan Tuli visited the affected areas and assured them of necessary assistance. Gaibandha BWDB Executive Engineer Shariful Islam said geo-bags are being dumped at vulnerable points as an immediate measure. “We are monitoring the situation and taking immediate preventive measures. Further steps will be taken based on the situation,” he said.

A journey that should take only a few minutes has turned into a test of patience and caution for residents of several villages in Shibganj upazila, as a roughly three-kilometre stretch of road remains riddled with potholes and damaged asphalt. The road runs from Kamalpur through Mirzapur to Karnakhali in Daipukuria Union and serves as a key link for local people. But years without proper repairs have left the road in such poor condition that residents now have to negotiate potholes and stagnant water every day. The situation becomes particularly difficult during the monsoon. Rainwater fills the potholes, while sections of the asphalt surface have washed away. Locals said water remains stagnant for five to 10 days after rainfall, turning parts of the road into muddy and uneven stretches. For villagers, the consequences go far beyond an uncomfortable ride. A child trying to reach school, a farmer carrying mangoes to market or a family rushing a sick person to hospital may all have to use the same damaged road. “Our children use this road to go to school. Because of the potholes and water, they sometimes cannot go to school properly. When it rains, walking becomes difficult too,” said local resident Mojibur. The road is particularly important for students because it connects settlements with educational institutions in the area. During heavy rain, parents often become concerned about their children’s safety while travelling along the damaged stretches. Local college teacher Abdul Jabbar said the condition of the road becomes a serious concern when someone needs urgent medical attention. “The road has been in poor condition for a long time. The biggest problem is taking patients to hospital. It becomes very difficult to transport a patient by ambulance or other vehicles in an emergency,” he said. The road also carries agricultural produce from the villages to local markets. Chapainawabganj is widely known for mango production, making road connectivity particularly important during the mango season.  

The government has unveiled an ambitious plan to develop a nationwide network of nearly 3,000 kilometres of expressways as part of a long-term strategy to build a safer, modern and technology-driven road transport system. According to a budget document, the government plans to identify potential expressway corridors and conduct feasibility studies as part of its long-term road development strategy. It also plans to develop an integrated multimodal transport system linking road, rail, water and air transport, while introducing smart technologies for axle-load control and setting up new control stations. The government has also planned measures to improve road safety, reduce congestion in Dhaka through ring roads and radial roads, expand digital toll collection and promote environmentally sustainable infrastructure. Bus services are also set for major changes, with plans to rationalise bus routes, gradually replace ageing buses with electric ones and improve driver training. For FY2026-27 and the medium term, the government plans to establish an integrated and sustainable road and public transport system. Among the proposed measures are enactment of a Metropolitan Transport Authority Act, introduction of metro rail-based feeder services and adoption of transit-oriented development plans. The government also plans to prepare technical manuals, promote electric vehicles and introduce an automated vehicle fitness certification system. Training will be provided to nearly 5,50,000 professional drivers. The budget document said roads that have remained neglected and deteriorated for years are being brought under accelerated repair and renovation programmes to ensure smooth and uninterrupted road communication across the country. In urban transport, the government plans to expand integrated ticketing systems, Rapid Pass services and online platforms to improve transparency and efficiency in public transportation. It is also pursuing a six-line metro rail network for Dhaka and its surrounding areas. Construction of MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 (Northern Route) is progressing, while planning activities for MRT Line-5 (Southern Route), MRT Line-2 and MRT Line-4 are underway. A monorail-based feeder network is planned to connect metro rail terminal points with different destinations. The government also intends to introduce electric buses gradually in Dhaka. The plans include developing women-friendly and safer transport services and expanding fully electric metro rail and bus systems to reduce air and noise pollution. The Bridges Division is also set to accelerate the construction of major bridges and elevated expressways to reduce travel time and transport costs. The government plans to expand electronic toll collection, introduce smart traffic management and use environmentally sustainable technologies in infrastructure management. Looking ahead, it plans to increase investment in the bridge and expressway sector, construct the Second Jamuna Bridge and implement the Dhaka-Chattogram Elevated Expressway. Projects under public-private partnership arrangements will also be pursued as part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen the country’s road and transport connectivity. The government said the transport-sector plans have been adopted in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and are intended to build a safer, more efficient and integrated transport network.

Children in the remote char areas of Phulchari upazila have battled for generations more than poverty and distance to attend school. They have also had to contend with a shifting landscape as the Jamuna and Brahmaputra rivers repeatedly swallow their homes, roads and educational institutions. Now, a dispute over the relocation of a primary school has added another obstacle, disrupting classes and leaving the education of scores of children uncertain. Angaridah Government Primary School, established in 1946 through the initiative of local residents, was intended to bring education closer to children living in the char areas of Gajaria Union. But the school has struggled to maintain a permanent home. Repeated river erosion has forced it to move several times over the decades. According to local residents, the school has been washed away or relocated at least 12 times since its establishment. Following the devastating floods and erosion of 1988, the school was re-established in Angaridah char. Yet, once again, the relentless advance of the Jamuna has forced it to abandon its latest location. A school on the move As the river continued to eat away at the school grounds, its structure was dismantled. Educational materials, furniture and corrugated iron sheets were also removed and transported to a remote part of nearby Ziadanga char, where the school was reassembled. The move, however, has sparked a dispute between two groups of local residents. Some villagers alleged that an influential group deliberately selected the isolated location to serve its own interests. They argued that the site is far from the main settlement and unsuitable for a school serving children from the wider community. Others have demanded that the school be moved to a more populated area, closer to the children who need it most. The disagreement has created tension in the community and disrupted the normal functioning of the school. In an effort to keep education going, teachers have set up a makeshift shed at the new site and resumed classes. But the temporary arrangement has done little to resolve the problems facing students and teachers. Learning under a tin roof Attendance has reportedly dropped sharply since the school moved to the remote section of Ziadanga char. Many students are reluctant to make the journey to the new location. For those who do attend, the learning environment is far from ideal. The tin-roofed structure stands on a sandy riverbank, where temperatures rise sharply during the day. Rain further disrupts classes, making it difficult for students to concentrate and teachers to continue lessons, said students and their guardians. The shortage of space has compounded the problem. Three classes are being conducted simultaneously in the same room, creating an environment in which effective teaching is extremely difficult. Local residents also said the dispute has affected teachers’ attendance, with some reportedly failing to attend classes regularly. Search for a solution Concerned over the situation, Phulchari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mostafizur Rahman and officials from the Upazila Education Committee recently visited the school to assess its condition. Following the visit, they recommended relocating the school to a densely populated area near Ziadanga Mosque, where a larger number of students live. The proposed site, officials believe, would provide children with easier access to the school and help create a more suitable learning environment. However, local residents alleged that some influential people are opposing the proposed relocation, prolonging the dispute and leaving the future of the school uncertain. Gajaria Union Parishad Chairman Khorshed Ali Khan Khushu said the decision to establish the school near Ziadanga Mosque has been taken in accordance with government regulations. He said continued obstruction to the relocation would ultimately harm the students and urged all concerned to cooperate in ensuring a suitable learning environment.

The government plans to take a series of measures to improve the cost and ease of doing business, attract foreign investment, diversify exports and promote balanced industrial development across the country, according to a budget document. Giving priority to deregulation, the government plans to streamline investment-related services, fully digitalise them and integrate them with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority’s One-Stop Service (BIDA-OSS) platform. It also plans to strengthen coordination among investment promotion agencies through an interactive website and map investment-related services sector by sector. The government will further develop BanglaBiz as a single digital platform for business approval services to provide investors with faster, predictable, coordinated and transparent government services. To attract foreign direct investment, it plans to promote 19 promising sectors identified in an investment heat map. The government has set an export target of $63.4 billion for the 2026-27 fiscal year, aiming for 15 percent growth in both goods and services exports, Commerce Minister Khondakar Abdul Muktadir announced recently. There are already signs of stronger investment interest. The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) said they secured investment proposals worth $717.71 million from 36 companies in FY2025-26, the highest annual commitment in its history. The proposed projects are expected to create 75,744 jobs once fully operational. BEPZA-run zones also generated $8.41 billion in exports in FY26, accounting for 17.51 percent of the country’s total merchandise exports. BEPZA is also planning to establish new export processing zones in Patuakhali and Jashore. The Patuakhali EPZ is expected to create employment for nearly one lakh people, while the Jashore EPZ is expected to generate around 1.5 lakh jobs. The establishment of Rangpur EPZ in Gaibandha and Sirajganj EPZ in Sirajganj is also in the pipeline. The government plans to expand digital services under the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), where 60 of its 125 services have already been brought online. Standard Operating Procedures have been prepared for 88 services. The Cabinet in July approved in principle three major policy measures, including the draft Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026, the National Renewable Energy Development Strategy (2026–2030) and the Import Policy Order, 2026–2029, aimed at improving the investment climate, expanding renewable energy and updating the country's import framework. It also plans to promote environmentally sustainable industrialisation through the Green and Resilient Economic Zone guidelines, renewable energy facilities, solar power systems and Central Effluent Treatment Plants. Economic zones are planned in Kurigram, Nilphamari, Chandpur and Kushtia to reduce Dhaka-Chattogram-centric industrialisation and support balanced regional development. Ahead of Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country category, the government plans to pursue Free Trade Agreements, Preferential Trade Agreements and Economic Partnership Agreements with potential trading partners to maintain the country’s competitiveness in global trade. The government also plans to reduce dependence on ready-made garments, which currently account for nearly 82 percent of export earnings, by promoting handicrafts, home décor items, jute products, natural cosmetics, toys and baby products in international markets. Facilities will be extended to promising export-oriented sectors, including agricultural products, light engineering, pharmaceuticals, electronics, gold and diamonds, to import goods under customs bonded facilities or against bank guarantees on a duty-free basis. The government plans to diversify export markets by giving priority to Latin America, Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East and various European countries. It also plans to expand online trade services, including electronic Certificates of Origin through the Business Single Window platform, and develop an Interactive Exporters Database to help exporters identify and connect with foreign buyers. The government plans to modernise laws and policies for safer and environmentally sustainable shipbreaking, shipbuilding and ship recycling. Policy support will also be provided for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly electric bikes and scooters. For cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises, the government plans to develop service platforms, update SME cluster mapping, expand financial inclusion and launch programmes to create new entrepreneurs. It also plans to provide mentorship, technical and skills training, financing, export support, design and branding assistance and access to domestic and international marketplaces for CMSMEs. The government plans to accelerate industrialisation in unused BSCIC plots, develop existing industrial areas, expand industrial park capacity and introduce investment-friendly policies. Under the National Green Industrial Policy, incentives will be introduced to promote energy-efficient technologies, waste-to-resource production and low-carbon industrialisation. The government also plans to implement Bangladesh Bank’s Tk 60,000 crore Stimulus Package-2026 for agriculture, cottage and small industries, SMEs and sick and closed industrial enterprises. Of the package, Tk 41,000 crore will come through a refinancing fund and Tk 19,000 crore from Bangladesh Bank’s own resources. The package includes Tk 20,000 crore for reopening closed industries and supporting the service sector, Tk 10,000 crore for agriculture and rural economic activities, Tk 5,000 crore for CMSMEs, Tk 3,000 crore for export diversification and Tk 3,000 crore to develop North Bengal as an agricultural hub. The government expects these initiatives to create more than 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs. It also plans to provide a 6 percent interest subsidy to support expansion of production activities, reducing the effective borrowing cost for entrepreneurs to less than half the prevailing market-based interest rate.

While the season for popular mango varieties such as Amrapali, Fazli, Gopalbhog and Himsagar has ended, Katimon mangoes are keeping Naogaon’s markets active in the off-season. At Sapahar, the district’s largest mango market, farmers are bringing fresh Katimon from their orchards and buyers are continuing to purchase the fruit even after the traditional mango season. A visit to the Sapahar market on September 10 and 11 found the market bustling with Katimon mangoes. Farmers arrived with their produce in vans, while buyers gathered to purchase the fruit. Local residents said the busy market looked much like the peak mango season, although other popular varieties are no longer available. Mangoes are traditionally associated with a particular season in Bangladesh. Amrapali usually arrives early, followed by varieties, including Nak Fazli, Himsagar, Haribhanga, Gobindabhog, Langra and Gopalbhog. By the end of the regular season, mango supplies normally decline sharply. Katimon, however, has changed that pattern. Commercial cultivation of the variety has expanded in Naogaon in recent years because it can produce fruit several times a year. Mansur Ali, a farmer from Haripur, said he cultivated Katimon on 5 bighas of land and is happy with the yield. “I asked for Tk 8,000 per maund, while traders offered Tk 6,500. I will sell if I get Tk 7,000,” he said, adding that prices vary depending on the quality of the fruit. Farmers Rezaul and Siddiqur Rahman of Balukadanga said demand for Katimon remains strong because other varieties are unavailable at this time. The weather was favourable and the yield was good this year, they said, hoping of expanding their cultivation in the future. Consumers are also happy to find fresh mangoes in the market at a time when the regular season has ended. Pradip, a local buyer, said he has never seen such a busy Katimon market before. “Mangoes are not usually available at this time. Seeing such beautiful fruit makes me want to buy some for home,” he said.  

Bangladesh is undertaking a broad overhaul of medical education focusing on a persistent set of problems including inadequate teaching facilities, shortages of qualified faculty, uneven clinical exposure, limited research opportunities and the need for stronger quality assurance. The reform agenda comes at a time when the country is producing a growing number of medical graduates but continues to face major weaknesses in its health workforce and medical education system. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Bangladesh had only 13 doctors, nurses and midwives per 10,000 population in 2022, compared with a global median of 49. Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Monday told parliament that only 30,311 doctors are currently working in government hospitals across Bangladesh, while the country needs around 88,909 physicians to meet the minimum doctor-population ratio in line with international standard. According to a government-funded study conducted in 2026, Bangladesh will need around 88,909 doctors in 2026 to meet the WHO’s minimum standard of 0.50 doctors per 1,000 population, he said. The Health Ministry, in a document outlining its medical education initiatives, said the government is therefore working on infrastructure, faculty recruitment and development, curriculum reform, simulation-based education, clinical training, research, postgraduate education and accreditation. More colleges, but quality remains the challenge The scale of medical education has expanded considerably over the years. The expansion has created a parallel challenge: ensuring that physical expansion is matched by adequate teachers, laboratories, hospitals, equipment and opportunities for hands-on learning. A World Bank review of Bangladesh’s tertiary education sector previously identified a chronic shortage of qualified teachers as a major weakness in medical education. It also pointed to inadequate teaching-learning facilities, including laboratories, equipment, medical research journals and internet connectivity, as factors affecting the quality of medical education. Old buildings, hostels targeted for upgrade According to the Health Ministry document, renovation and modernisation of old academic buildings at government medical and dental colleges are underway to improve teaching and learning facilities. Existing student hostels are also being renovated, while new hostels are planned for institutions where accommodation is not currently available. Teacher shortage remains a key bottleneck The government is also trying to address the shortage of medical teachers through recruitment, promotion and professional-development opportunities. The ministry document said recruitment of new teachers is underway at government medical colleges and that regular subject-based and integrated training is being provided to improve teachers’ teaching skills and professional capacity. The need is particularly important because medical education requires teachers who combine academic knowledge with clinical experience. A World Bank assessment found that Bangladesh’s health workforce is characterised by critical shortages and geographical maldistribution. It also noted that the formal health workforce is heavily concentrated in urban areas. Curriculum review every five years The government is also revisiting what medical students are taught and how they are trained. The Health Ministry document said the medical education curriculum is generally reviewed and revised every five years to keep pace with developments in medical science and changing educational requirements. But curriculum revision alone does not immediately demonstrate better outcomes. According to the document, the effectiveness and benefits of a revised curriculum can normally be assessed after two to three batches of students have completed their education under the new curriculum. This means curriculum reform needs to be accompanied by changes in teaching methods, assessment, clinical exposure and faculty development. From textbooks to simulation laboratories One of the more significant changes proposed by the government is greater use of simulation-based education. Modern simulation laboratories are being established in phases at medical colleges where such facilities are not currently available, according to the ministry document. Simulation allows students to practise clinical procedures in a controlled environment before — and alongside — direct exposure to patients. The approach can help students develop technical skills and confidence while reducing the pressure of learning new procedures for the first time in real clinical situations. The reform programme also seeks to make clinical training more effective by giving students greater hands-on exposure and ensuring that clinical education remains relevant to contemporary medical practice. Research gets greater emphasis The government is also seeking to strengthen the research component of medical education. The Research, Publication and Curriculum Development Division of Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME) is providing annual grants to teachers, according to the ministry document. The stated objectives include generating new knowledge, encouraging innovation and promoting evidence-based approaches to medical treatment. The government is also modernising postgraduate medical courses and increasing financial support for institutions involved in medical education and training as well as for trainees. Faculty exchange programmes are being expanded at national and international levels so that teachers can gain exposure to different academic and professional practices. Bangladesh Medical Education and Accreditation Council is working to ensure the quality of medical education in Bangladesh and bring it in line with international standards, the document said. The accreditation system is intended to provide a structured mechanism for assessing whether medical education institutions meet the required standards. The BMEAC was established under the Bangladesh Medical Education Accreditation Act 2023, which came into force in January 2024. The council describes itself as the statutory authority responsible for accreditation of medical education institutions and programmes.⁠ The Health Ministry document said the overall reform programme is being implemented through improvements in physical infrastructure, teacher recruitment and professional development, curriculum revision, simulation laboratories, clinical training, postgraduate education, faculty exchanges and research. It said these measures are being pursued to improve the quality of medical education and develop medical professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required for modern healthcare.

The administrative uncertainty at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) continues, with the post of pro-vice-chancellor lying vacant for around two and a half years and a newly appointed treasurer yet to assume office more than a month after his appointment. The prolonged vacancy in the two key administrative positions has raised concerns among teachers, students, officials and employees about the university’s administrative coordination and financial management. The post of pro-vice-chancellor has remained vacant since March 2024, when the four-year tenure of the university’s first pro-vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Sarifa Salowa Dina, ended. Meanwhile, the treasurer’s post remained vacant for nearly two years following the resignation of the then treasurer, Prof Dr Mujib Uddin Ahmed, on August 17, 2024. According to university sources, the Education Ministry appointed Prof Dr Sarifa Salowa Dina, a professor of the Department of Bangla, as BRUR’s first pro-vc on March 10, 2020. She served in the position until March 2024. No new pro-vice-chancellor has been appointed since the expiry of her tenure. Teachers and officials said the pro-vice-chancellor plays an important role in coordinating academic and administrative activities and assisting the vice-chancellor in running the university. The position also has a role in overseeing academic affairs, coordinating various policy-making committees and ensuring coordination in the university’s overall management. With the position remaining vacant for an extended period, many of these responsibilities have had to be handled by the vice-chancellor and other administrative officials, they said. Under Section 12(1) of the Begum Rokeya University Act, 2009, the chancellor may appoint a university professor as pro-vice-chancellor for four years under conditions determined by the chancellor, when deemed necessary. The uncertainty surrounding the treasurer’s post has also continued despite the appointment of a new officeholder. Prof Dr Mujib Uddin Ahmed, the university’s last treasurer, resigned by submitting his resignation letter to the president on August 17, 2024. The post subsequently remained vacant for nearly two years. After a prolonged vacancy, the Education Ministry’s Secondary and Higher Education Division appointed Prof Dr Md Abu Hanif Sarker of Jagannath University as BRUR treasurer on July 23. Speaking about his joining, Prof Abu Hanif said, “I was ready to join. But for various reasons, I have not been able to do so. You may contact the officials concerned at the ministry. They may be able to provide the correct information.” The reasons behind the delay in his joining have not been officially clarified, fuelling speculation among different sections of the university community. University officials said the treasurer is responsible for an important part of the university’s financial administration, making the prolonged uncertainty over the post a matter of concern. Several teachers and officials said the university needs a qualified pro-vice-chancellor as soon as possible and that the newly appointed treasurer should be enabled to assume office without further delay. BRUR Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Showkat Ali said the appointments were not within his jurisdiction. “These matters are not within my authority. The pro-vice-chancellor and treasurer of the university are appointed by the chancellor, namely the president. Therefore, the authority to make decisions on these matters also rests with him,” he said. The VC said the university would provide necessary support and complete the required procedures if there was anything it could do from its side.  

A bridge over a branch canal of the Dhonagoda River in Daudkandi upazila of Cumilla has been lying in a dangerous condition for nearly five years, putting thousands of people at risk as schoolchildren, patients, farmers and others continue to use it for lack of an alternative route. The bridge, connecting the Harina Bazar-Bhabanipur South Hindu Para area in Panchgachia West Union, was built around 15 to 20 years ago. According to locals, cracks developed after one of the bridge's central pillars subsided. The pillars have since weakened further, while several sections of the bridge have collapsed. A visit to the area on Thursday found school and college students, pedestrians, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and motorcyclists continuing to use the damaged structure despite the risk of accidents. Locals said residents of Guchhagram, Bhabanipur, Thetalia, Tulatali, Nalchak, Nayachar, Panchgachia, Bazarkhola North, Bazarkhola South and Shaithardia regularly use the bridge. Students, employees, traders, farmers and patients from these villages have to cross the bridge every day as there is no alternative route, they said. Students are among the worst affected, as they have to risk crossing the bridge to attend schools and colleges. Patients also face difficulties as CNG-run auto-rickshaws carrying them to hospitals have to use the hazardous structure. Farmers are also suffering as heavy vehicles cannot cross the bridge, making it difficult to transport agricultural produce to markets. Russel, a student of Durgapur Primary School, said he feels frightened every time he crosses the bridge. "My heart pounds whenever I step onto the bridge. I feel as though the remaining section could collapse at any moment, sending me into the water below," he said.

The paddy fields across northern Bangladesh are once again coming alive as farmers work through muddy fields, transplanting Aman seedlings with hopes of recovering from the setbacks of previous seasons. From preparing land and levelling fields to pulling seedlings from nurseries and planting them in neat rows, farmers and farm workers are busy making the most of the current Aman season. Unlike some previous years, when inadequate or delayed rainfall made transplantation difficult, this year’s favourable weather and sufficient rainfall have brought some relief to farmers in the region. Agriculture officials are also hopeful that if the weather remains favourable, farmers will not only meet the cultivation target but may also achieve a good yield and earn a reasonable return. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a target has been set to cultivate transplanted Aman on 663,714 hectares of land across the eight districts under the Rangpur agricultural region this season. The production target has been set at 2.633 million tonnes of paddy. Most of the fields have already been planted, while transplantation on the remaining land is expected to be completed within the next 10 to 15 days, officials said. During a recent visit to the fields, the scene was one of intense agricultural activity. Tractors and power tillers were being used to prepare land, while some farmers were repairing field embankments with spades and others were levelling the soil with wooden planks. Groups of farmers were pulling seedlings from nurseries and transplanting them in rows. Some were applying fertiliser, their heads covered with towels to shield themselves from the sun. Abdul Bari, a farmer from Rangpur Sadar, has cultivated Aman on five bighas of land this season. He said adequate rainfall has made cultivation easier and reduced his costs. “Nature has been quite supportive this year. We have received enough rainwater, so we did not have to spend money on irrigation,” he said. “If everything goes well, we expect a good yield,” he said.