The southwestern district of Khulna is celebrating a bumper harvest of Aman paddy this year, sparking joy and optimism among local farmers. Growers and others are preparing for harvesting the paddy and sharpening their sickles as they hope for a record-breaking production this time. In the nine upazilas of Khulna, farmers are cleaning their fields and homes in preparation for the harvest which is expected to begin within the next one to two weeks. Though this year the country experienced a heavy rainfall, which brought both challenges and blessings for the farmers, the golden fields of paddy bring smiles to the farmers. With the rising costs of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and labour, the growers are hopeful for a good harvest, provided the weather remains favorable. The Directorate General of Food has announced that the government will procure 51,973 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy from 10 districts under Khulna division. Besides, 74,335 MT of boiled rice and 5,925 MT of parboiled rice will also be collected. Agriculture officials said that the coastal Koyra and Dakop upazials have witnessed bumper yields of Aman paddy this year. According to the Koyra Upazila Agricultural Office, 16,323 hectares of land were brought under the Aman cultivation, while Dakop adhered to 19,360 hectares. Read: Bumper Aman paddy yield brings joy to farmers in Chapainawabganj Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury, regional food controller for Khulna, said that this year’s production may exceed the target set earlier. Shashadhar Sana, a farmer from Angti Hara Paschim Beel, said he planted Aman paddy on one bigha of land and expected to harvest about 30 maunds per bigha. He said his family was preparing to make pithas from the newly harvested rice. Mizanur Rahman Babu from Sataliya Purbo Beel shared the same sentiment that he planted paddy on 22 bighas of land and now expect to gain 24-25 monds per bigha. Master Abdul Khalek, a farmer from Koyra Sadar union, praised the efforts of the local agricultural officers, saying that they were very dedicated and always visited fields. Read more: Farmers busy in harvesting paddy in Naogaon Koyra Upazila Agricultural Officer Md Abdullah Al Mamun said despite some challenges the farmers faced the yield would surpass expectations.