Farmers in Chapainawabganj are celebrating a bumper yield of Aman paddy this season, coupled with favourable prices, thanks to supportive weather conditions and effective farming practices. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) had set a target of producing 2 lakh metric tonnes of rice this year, and initial reports indicate that the district is on course to meet or even exceed this goal. During a visit to various parts of the district, farmers were found busy with paddy harvesting and threshing, with fields bustling with activity. Despite early concerns about insufficient rainfall during the planting season, timely irrigation, adequate rainfall later on, and minimal pest infestations led to an impressive harvest. Rice import from India through Benapole port resumes after 2 years Farmers are reaping between 22 and 25 maunds of paddy per bigha, with each maund fetching between Tk 1,200 and Tk 1,300 in the market. These favourable conditions have provided much-needed relief to farmers, many of whom struggled with high production costs earlier in the season. Calls for Cost ReductionDespite the promising yield and good prices, farmers have urged the government to address the rising costs of pesticides, irrigation, and fertilisers. Jahangir, a farmer from Atahar in Sadar Upazila, cultivated Aman on 10 bighas of land and expressed satisfaction with his harvest, expecting 24 maunds per bigha. Rice prices to come down with new Aman rice in market, hopes Food Adviser However, he noted that early irrigation and high input costs added to his expenses. “If the price remains stable, we will benefit, but reducing input costs would greatly encourage more farmers to engage in Aman cultivation,” he said. Similarly, Serajul, a farmer from Nezampur in Nachole Upazila, highlighted the financial strain caused by high labour and input costs. He called for government intervention to reduce these expenses, ensuring sustainable farming practices in the region. Surpassing targetshis year, Aman paddy cultivation exceeded expectations, with 54,415 hectares of land cultivated against the target of 53,350 hectares. According to Dr Palash Sarkar, Deputy Director of the DAE, the yield per hectare increased from 3.51 metric tonnes last year to 3.61 metric tonnes this year. Dr Sarkar attributed the success to the timely distribution of high-yielding seeds, fertilisers, and expert guidance provided through various projects and incentives. “Currently, 16% of the fields have been harvested, and we anticipate this year’s total production will surpass last year’s figure of 1.89 lakh metric tonnes, reaching nearly 2 lakh metric tonnes,” he said. Farmers are hopeful that stable prices and reduced input costs in the future will ensure a prosperous Aman paddy season in the years to come.