Farmers in Kishoreganj, the hub of agricultural activity in the region, are diligently preparing seedbeds for Boro rice cultivation, as they anticipate a bumper harvest this year. Agriculture is the primary livelihood source for many in the district and farmers are committed to the successful cultivation of Boro rice in the haor areas, barring any unforeseen natural calamities. With favourable weather conditions this year, farmers from all upazilas have started early preparations for sowing Boro paddy. As part of the proactive approach, farmers are preparing seedbeds for Boro-Aman paddies without taking risks. They are sourcing high-quality seeds from the agriculture office to ensure a strong start to the season. Ballooning number of crop protection dams in Sunamganj haor region raises concern According to the local farmers, late November to early December brings severe cold and dense fog, which poses a threat to the tender Boro rice seedlings, often destroying them in the seedbed. To avoid this, they have decided to begin seedbed preparation earlier than usual this year. The farmers have procured good quality seeds from the agricultural seed marketing offices. Seedbed preparation is already underway and farmers expect to begin planting soon. The agriculture department has advised farmers to prepare ideal seedbeds and procure quality seeds to enhance the chances of a fruitful harvest. The department also expressed confidence in meeting its Boro cultivation target this season, with expectations of higher-than-usual production. In Kishoreganj district, a total of 3,100 metric tons of seeds have been allocated for Boro cultivation. Currently, around 1,600 metric tons of seeds remain in stock, ensuring no shortage of seeds for farmers, according to the department sources. People in Chandpur suffer as demand for concrete bridge goes unheeded Authorities have also emphasised that strict legal action will be taken against any attempts to create an artificial seed crisis. AKM Moniruzzaman, deputy director of Seed Marketing in Kishoreganj said that the target for Boro cultivation this year is set at 168,100 hectares of land. “With favourable weather conditions, farmers are hopeful that this year’s harvest will surpass all previous records, with an expected output of approximately 737,020 metric tons of rice,” he said.

Boro cultivation has brought smiles to the farmers of Madaripur district with a bumper yield this season. During a recent visit to different parts of the district, this correspondent found that farmers are busy harvesting boro paddy. Siraj Chokdar, 45, a farmer in Lakshiganj village of Sadar upazila, said, “I have brought several bighas of land under boro cultivation. This year's yield is quite good due to the favorable weather. The current price is also good – Tk 1,100 per maund. But if the price of paddy goes down, the farmer will lose,” he said. Read more: Bumper yield of Boro paddy brings smiles to Chapainawabganj farmers Merzon Khalasi, 50, another farmer of the same area, said that due to the increase in the price of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation and labour costs the production cost has shot up to Tk 800-900 to produce one maund paddy. Santosh Chandra, deputy director of District Agriculture Extension Department, said that 33,500 hectares of land have been cultivated in five upazilas of the district this year. Farmers have already harvested 80 percent of Boro paddy in the area and they are expected to benefit due to the bumper paddy yield and good market price of paddy, he added. Read more: 70% Boro paddy of haor areas harvested: Agriculture Ministry.

Even after hail storm and insect attack, this season Boro crop has provided a good yield for farmers in Sylhet’s Bishwanath upazila this year. Cultivation of Boro paddy has exceeded the target there. Already Boro on 1.6 thousand hectares of land has been harvested and the farmers are happy at the super yield this year. Most farmers are busy harvesting ripe paddy. Also read: Jagannathpur farmers fret over stagnant water as boro yield hit There is no labour crisis this year and the government is providing subsidized rice harvesting machines. According to the Upazila Agriculture Extension Department, the target for borough cultivation in Bishwanath this year was set at 7.2 thousand hectares of land. Already Boro crop have been cultivated over 7.3 thousand hectares of land. Read Farmers in Laxmipur char leading the way in vegetable production The target for paddy production is 35 thousand metric tons this season. Farmer Jaber Ahmed of the upazila said, "I have cultivated Boro paddy at low cost without insecticides. Compared to other seasons, this time the yield has been as expected." “We are also happy getting a good price of paddy in the market," he added. Also read: Severe cold threatens Boro seedbeds in Kurigram Bishwanath Upazila agriculture officer Kanak Chandra Roy said farmers have already harvested 22% of the planted paddy and several sophisticated rice harvesting machines have been distributed among the farmers at subsidized rates. He further said, farmers will undoubtedly benefit from the good yield of Boro paddy this season. Due to low rainfall this year, the haor areas are not still filled with water and several crop fields are still visible. Read The curious case of onion 'lifting’ in Satkhira

Reaffirming her government’s stance to be there with people until the coronavirus crisis is over, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said this is not difficult at all to overcome any pressing problem if people remain united.

Boro cultivation on 750 acres of land in ‘Beel Kochua’ located at Bakra in Jhikorgacha upazila has become uncertain due to waterlogging caused by the construction of illegal fish enclosures by some influential people.

The local Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) says it is optimistic about boro cultivation on 46,800 hectares of land this season to meet a production goal of 2,16,526 metric tonnes.