United News of Bangladesh

As floodwaters receded across northern Bangladesh, the newly deposited silt has turned the sandy river islands of the Teesta, Dharla, Saniyazan and Brahmaputra—known locally as chars—into fertile land, sparking a surge in cultivation. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, the northern rivers contain nearly 786 char areas and communities living there have begun to rebuild their livelihoods following the recent floods. Agriculturist Sirajul Islam, Additional Director of the Rangpur agricultural region, says this year’s cultivation target for the chars has been set at 36,911 hectares, with an expected output of 362,000 tonnes of various crops.  “Char residents are likely to recover through this year’s harvest. A single crop can sustain many families for an entire year,” he explains. A Season of Intense Activity Across the Teesta’s char zones in Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Nilphamari, farmers are working round the clock, Sirajul Islam said.  Read more: Overuse of chemical fertilisers threatens soil health in northern Bangladesh Large tracts have already been planted with potatoes, aubergines, chillies, onions, ginger, garlic, beans, coriander, carrots, cabbages, radishes, gourds, wheat, sesame, linseed, mustard and maize, he said.  Growers say they anticipate good yields from almost all varieties this season. In Ichli char of Gangachara, Rangpur, farmer Hossain Mia has planted potatoes on three bighas of land, aubergines on another three bighas and coriander on 20 decimals.  “If the yields are satisfactory, I expect to earn around Tk 1.5 lakh after covering costs,” he said.  Local growers Habibur, Rahim and Khairul echo similar expectations, noting that each of them could make Tk 60,000 to Tk 70,000 in profit if the season is favourable. Storage and Market Access Remain Major Obstacles Abdullah Al Hadi, Chairman of Lakshmitari Union Parishad, describes the Teesta’s chars as a “growing agricultural zone”, with fresh produce already reaching local markets. Many more farmers have begun cultivating again. Read more: Sand syndicates tighten grip on Bangladesh's northern region He, however, highlights a persistent challenge: the lack of storage, processing facilities and proper market access.  “This is the biggest frustration for char farmers. Without cold storage, transportation and processing facilities, they are deprived of fair profits,” he said.  He believes the region requires two to three cold storages, while Gangachara currently has only one. Poor connectivity also prevents farmers from transporting goods easily to nearby markets. Power of Nutrient-Rich Silt Agriculture officer Tushar Kanti explains that the silt deposited on the Teesta’s chars has made the soil exceptionally fertile.  Many crops are flourishing even without chemical fertilisers. Maize, wheat, potatoes, chillies, onions, garlic, mustard, sesame, linseed and a wide range of vegetables are being grown in abundance, he said. Read more: Hidden hands in the fields: Dealers blamed for artificial fertiliser shortage in north Dr Tuhin Wadud, Professor at Begum Rokeya University and a long-time researcher on char lands, says that the post-flood silt left behind on these islands is “extremely fertile”.  As a result, he said, farmers in the region often witness bumper harvests following floods. But he points out that limited transport links continue to hinder farmers from securing fair prices. He believes dredging the Teesta and other major rivers could bring long-term benefits: “If the rivers were properly excavated, more char lands would emerge, offering northern communities significant economic opportunities.” Prospects Worth Tk 200 Crore Agricultural officials estimate that crops from more than 786 char areas across eight northern districts could generate Tk 200 crore in revenue this season. Field officers from the agricultural department are providing technical assistance and financial incentives, and officials say support has already been extended to char farmers affected by the floods. Read more: Polyshade tomato farming reviving Narail’s rural economy

The government of Bangladesh has taken a project aimed at strengthening the resilience and livelihoods of poor and marginal communities in Cox’s Bazar, one of Bangladesh’s most disaster-prone districts,  through sustainable, nature-based solutions. The project, titled “PRO-ACT Bangladesh – Resilience Strengthening through Agri-Food Systems Transformation in Cox’s Bazar,” will be implemented by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under the Ministry of Agriculture and is set to run until June, 2028. With an estimated cost of Tk 53.01 crore, fully funded by foreign grants, the project seeks to improve food and income security, promote sustainable agriculture, and reduce disaster risks in four upazilas — Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Ukhiya, and Teknaf. Under the initiative, 10,000 farmers will receive training and input support to cultivate nutrient-rich crops, while 600 families involved in aquaculture will be trained in modern fish-farming techniques. Besides, 1,050 farmers will be supported in toxin-free dry fish processing including branding and market access development. Read more: Access to credit for agri sector can enhance food security: Bangladesh Bank Governor The project also envisions creating five agricultural aggregation centres to boost market connectivity and promote ICT-based agricultural extension services. Local service providers and farmers’ groups will be trained on financial literacy, digital tools, and business planning to improve access to agricultural credit and strengthen value chains. To enhance disaster preparedness, communities will receive training on the Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) and crop-based land use maps will be developed to integrate disaster risk reduction into agricultural planning. According to the Planning Commission, the project will play a pivotal role in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and addressing the environmental degradation worsened by the Rohingya refugee influx — including deforestation, land erosion, and waterlogging. Funded by the European Union and implemented in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Forest Department, and Department of Fisheries, PRO-ACT Bangladesh focuses on restoring ecosystems and strengthening the adaptive capacities of vulnerable populations. With a target to reach more than 54,000 beneficiaries, including smallholder farmers, women, and marginalised groups, the initiative aims to transform Cox’s Bazar’s agri-food systems through climate-smart agriculture, sustainable resource management, and inclusive economic opportunities. Officials said the project aligns with Bangladesh’s long-term climate adaptation goals and underscores the government’s commitment to building a resilient future in the face of worsening climate challenges. Read more: Bangladesh's food security at risk as farmland shrinks by 3.75 percent in 8 Years: BBS Survey Cox’s Bazar is facing frequent exposure to a wide range of natural hazards and extreme weather conditions such as cyclones, heavy rainfall, landslides, flash floods and  storm surges. In recent years, the district has been particularly vulnerable to recurring landslides and cyclones. The severity of these disasters is worsened by widespread poverty and the limited coping capacity of local communities — with about 33 percent of the district’s population living below the poverty line, according to UNDP. Since 2017, Cox’s Bazar has also hosted around one million Rohingya refugees, which has significantly increased the population at risk. The influx has contributed to new environmental and safety challenges, including deforestation, hill-cutting, and mounting pressure on infrastructure. Because of overcrowded settlements, hilly terrain, and temporary housing conditions, Rohingya families are particularly susceptible to severe weather events. Read more: Dream project derails; Khulna-Mongla railway struggles without freight flow

Farmers in the northern district of Naogaon are struggling with fresh uncertainty as unseasonal rain, triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, has damaged prepared seedbeds for early winter vegetables and partially ripe Aman paddy. Potato fields, in particular, have been affected, causing concern among growers hoping to recover losses from last year. Agriculture officials said stagnant water in the fields has raised fears of widespread damage to newly planted potato seeds, transplanted Aman paddy and early winter vegetables, including cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, chili, eggplant and radish. Many plants, they said, are lying flattened in waterlogged fields across several upazilas. Read more: Polyshade tomato farming reviving Narail’s rural economy According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Aman has been cultivated on 193,000 hectares this year, while early winter vegetables cover 1,845 hectares. Potato cultivation is targeted on 21,000 hectares. A field visit revealed that farmlands prepared for potato cultivation or recently sown are submerged, forcing farmers to focus on draining the water to save their crops. Farmers also fear delays in planting on fallow lands that remain waterlogged and excess moisture has already caused root rot in some vegetables. Zainal, a farmer from Kalikapur Dangapara in Atrai upazila, expressed his worries, saying, “Last year I suffered a big loss from potato farming; hence I planted early this year in hopes of a better price. But now rainwater has submerged the field and I fear the seeds may not sprout properly. I don’t know what to do.” Sharing a similar experience, Ashraf Hossain from Varsho village in Manda upazila said, “Early potato farming is always risky, but I wanted to try since others were doing it. I planted on one bigha of land, but the sudden rain has filled the field with water.” Read more: Hidden hands in the fields: Dealers blamed for artificial fertiliser shortage in north Ratan Mollah of Barshail in Sadar upazila said, “I just finished planting potato seeds when the rain began. It’s still drizzling, and the soil remains soaked. Potato seeds rot easily if they stay wet. I’m worried most of my field will be damaged.” Meanwhile, Susheel Mistri of Hapania reported that his Aman paddy, which was ripening, had been flattened by rain and gusty winds. Vegetable grower Indri Mia from Kirtipur said, “The rain over the past few days has caused rot at the base of my cauliflower and other vegetable plants.” Downplaying the extent of the damage, DAE Deputy Director Homayra Mondal said, “Although it rained, it wasn’t a heavy downpour. Potato planting has just started and the newly planted seeds may face minor setbacks, but fields planted eight to ten days ago will likely remain safe. The rainfall is even beneficial for Aman. If the water drains quickly, there won’t be any major problem.” Read more: Rain pushes green chilli price to Tk 300 per kg, almost all vegetable prices upward As farmers race against time to salvage their crops, the unseasonal rainfall has once again highlighted the vulnerability of early winter cultivation to unpredictable weather.

Under the warm September sun, Narail’s fields glow with an unusual sight -- plump, red watermelons ripening on the vines. Traditionally grown across Bangladesh from December to April, these luscious fruits are now flourishing out of season, bringing remarkable success – and handsome profits – to enterprising local farmers. At present, each kilogram of watermelon commands between Tk 80 and Tk 100, a price that has turned this off-season venture into a golden opportunity. Visitors are thronging the fields, eager not only to sample the sweet bounty but also to marvel at the sight of watermelons dangling in netted pouches, suspended neatly from bamboo frames. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Narail, some 23 hectares have been brought under off-season cultivation this year: 10 hectares in Sadar upazila, two in Lohagara, and 11 in Kalia. With technical guidance and timely incentives from the agriculture department, farmers – many of them first-timers – have discovered that this crop is both cost-effective and richly rewarding. A recent field visit to Mirzapur, under Bishali union of Sadar upazila, revealed the quiet industry behind this success. There, farmer Akinur Mallik leaned towards around 200 plants grown along the embankments of his fish enclosure. Bagerhat’s watermelon harvest brings a sweet summer promise “This is my first attempt, using 33 decimals of land. The agriculture office provided me with seeds, fertilisers and inputs. Prices are good and buyers come directly here. Next year, I’ll cultivate on a larger scale,” he said. The spectacle of off-season melons has become a local curiosity. Families stroll among the trellised plants, while young visitors snap selfies and record TikToks beside the burgeoning fruits. “We never saw watermelon farming in our area before. Now it’s become a place to hang out, take selfies and even make TikToks ,” said Suma Akter, a cheerful onlooker. Encouraged by Akinur’s success, farmer Zakir Hossain voiced his own enthusiasm for trying the method in the coming season. Further afield in Kalia upazila, veteran grower Pradip Barman recounted three years of cultivating watermelons. This year alone, he planted 10,000 seedlings across 95 acres of fish farms, including 7,000 watermelon plants. “The yield is excellent. The Banglalink variety weighs five to seven kilos each, while Tripti weighs two to three. I invested Tk five to six lakh, but expect Tk 12 lakh in returns,” he said. Agriculture officials are also optimistic about the trend. Jaintapur’s Watermelon Boom: From fallow lands to flourishing fields Roknuzzaman, Narail Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer, confirmed that farmers are being encouraged with seeds, fertilisers and continuous field-level guidance. District DAE Deputy Director Md Jasim Uddin added that the acreage under cultivation is increasing every year thanks to this support. With enthusiasm spreading and yields proving bountiful, officials foresee Narail blossoming into a thriving hub for off-season watermelon farming, a sweet promise for the district’s agricultural future.

Farmers, traders and warehouse owners in Lalmonirhat are expressing growing concern over unsold potatoes stored in cold storage in five upazilas, fearing significant financial losses this season. A 60-kg sack of potatoes, which costs around Tk 1,500 to produce and store, is now selling for only Tk 700-800 in the market, leaving farmers counting a minimum loss of Tk 600 per sack. Local growers say the lack of demand has forced them to leave their stock in cold storage, further reducing turnover. Compared to last year’s 40 percent sales by this time, less than 20 percent of this season’s stored potatoes have been sold, sparking concerns among warehouse owners. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) office in the district, potatoes were cultivated on 7,800 hectares this season, yielding 204,000 metric tonnes (MTs). Of this, 78,000 MTs are now stored in nine district cold storages. Many farmers, encouraged by last year’s higher returns, stored potatoes this season hoping for good prices, but have yet to receive the expected gains. Read: Govt to procure potatoes to support farmers: Adviser Storing a single sack in a warehouse costs between Tk 1,000 and Tk 1,100, bringing total expenses to around Tk 1,500 per sack, and the present market prices leave farmers with only Tk 250–300 per sack after four months of storage. Expressing frustration, Sohag, a farmer from Charitabari village in Aditmari upazila, said, “I stored 100 sacks of potatoes expecting a good turnover. After two months, I earned only Tk 28,000. Selling during the season could have brought about Tk 60,000. We are left financially ruined.”  

Onion prices in Faridpur have surged by Tk 1,000 per maund over the past 10 days due to reduced supply in the market, affecting retail customers. According to Md Shaheduzzaman, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Faridpur, the district is the second-largest onion-producing region in the country. This year, a total of 38,000 hectares of land were brought under onion cultivation, yielding 6.77 lakh metric tonnes. Farmers, however, were frustrated as they received only Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500 per maund during the season, while they needed Tk 2,000–2,200 per maund to break even and make a profit. In the past 10 days, the price of onion in the wholesale market has risen from Tk 1,500 to Tk 2,500–2,600 per maund, with retail prices now ranging between Tk 70 and Tk 75 per kg. Traders blamed the supply shortage for the price hike, noting that farmers are currently occupied with jute processing, resulting in fewer onion deliveries to the market. Tapan Kumar, a trader from Kanaipur, said there is no onion import from abroad at the moment and the local supply is insufficient to meet demand, which is pushing prices up sharply. Moniruzzaman, an onion trader from Boalmari upazila, said, "Farmers are busy with retting, washing and drying jute. That’s why less onion is reaching the wholesale markets." Faridpur farmers in distress as onion prices plummet Expressing frustration, Saifur Rahman from Saltha upazila said farmers did not get fair prices during the harvesting season and now most of the remaining stock is in the hands of large wholesalers. "It's the wholesalers who are profiting from the current price surge. We farmers have nothing left to gain," he said. In local markets, including Kanaipur, Saltha, Boalmari and Nagarkanda, onions are selling at Tk 60 to Tk 75 per kg depending on the variety.  

The fisheries and agriculture sectors in Narail have incurred losses worth Tk 100 crore, due to flood caused by multiple rounds of heavy rainfall during the monsoon. Massive flooding after continuous rains submerged at least 3,500 fish enclosures and ponds, out of 5,300 on 1,700 hectares of land in the district. About 66% of the fish enclosures were impacted, resulting in losses of Tk 90 crore in the fisheries sector alone, according to Fisheries Department. Department of Agricultural Extension sources said the flood also damaged crops, including Aman paddy and vegetables such as beans, pumpkins, cucumbers, and papayas, causing an additional losses worth Tk 10 crore. Thousands of farmers in Narail Sadar, Lohagara, and Kalia upazilas were severely impacted, with Narail Sadar and Kalia being the most affected. Haor tourism: Sunamganj sees increased tourist flow after losses Local farmers and DAE officials said the district's economy heavily relies on agriculture and fish farming, surrounded by wetlands and enclosures. About 82% of the population is engaged in agriculture, and over 50,000 people are directly involved in fish farming. The scale of the damage has left many in distress, including fish farmer Md. Ahaduzzaman from Bhawakali wetland, who said, "I invested heavily this year, hoping to earn at least Tk 10 lakh, but my three enclosures were completely flooded." He also lost his vegetable crops and now struggles to repay loans. Other farmers face similar difficulties. Jiru Sheikh, a fish farmer from Durgapur, said, "I have never faced such losses before. All the fish from my enclosures have been washed away, causing a loss of Tk 7 lakh." Azizur Sheikh from the same area reported damages exceeding Tk 8 lakh after losing fish from four of his five enclosures and the vegetables on the banks. Farmer Khaza Mia lamented that the flooding made it impossible to distinguish between the wetland and enclosures, while Tazibur Sherikh from Arpara village said he could no longer walk across fields without a boat. The agriculture and fisheries departments have started assessing the damage. Chili growers in Manikganj worried over low production due to drought Md. Ashek Parvez, Deputy Director of the DAE, said, "A list of affected farmers has been prepared. The government will provide fertilisers and seeds to help them recover." Besides, District Fisheries Officer H.M. Badruzzaman  said a list of affected fish enclosure owners has been submitted to higher authorities for possible assistance. Despite the devastation, Narail remains a surplus district in food and fish production. The annual fish demand is 16,000 metric tons, but production reaches at least 18,000 metric tons, leaving a surplus of 2,000 metric tons. Besides, the district produces at least one lakh metric tons of surplus food annually. However, the recent rainfall has jeopardised the livelihoods of thousands dependent on fisheries and agriculture. Read more: BNP calls for relief support for flood-hit farmers in North, Mymensingh

Some 50 metric tonnes of mango of different varieties was exported to Europe on till Monday, authorities said. According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), 50 metric tonnes of mangoes of Himsagar and Gobindobhog varieties are exported in the market of European countries including England, Sweden and Italy. Later, Lengra and Amrapali varieties will be exported in phases. Mango harvest in Natore begins today with Gopalbhog variety This year, the local administration has set a target to export 300 metric tonnes of mango and training was given to the mango growers in Kalaroa, Sadar and Debhata upazilas. But this year, the size of mango is not appropriate due to low yield of mango in Satkhira caused by the cyclonic storm Remal and drought, which is feared to achieve the export target this season. Saiful Islam, deputy director of Satkhira DAE, said this year the mango of Satkhira failed to achieve the standard export quality as spots were found in mangoes. Besides, the size of mango is not up to the mark. As a result, it will be difficult to fulfill the target set by the authorities. Special mango rail to start operation on Chapainawabganj-Dhaka route June 10 Rafiqul Islam, a mango grower of Bakal area, said he has 25 bighas of land under mango cultivation. He however, managed to export four metric tonnes of Gobindobhog variety and two metric tonnes of Himsagar variety mango to the European countries. Besides, the price of the exported mango is better than the previous year as he is selling per maund of mango at Tk 3200-3400, which was Tk 2400-2500 in the last year. Satkhira started to export mango in European countries and the Middle East in 2015. Read more: Naogaon district sets ambitious Tk 2500 crore target for mango sales

Mango yield in Rajshahi district, known as the capital of mango, have been affected due to the prevailing severe heat wave condition and lack of rains, causing anxiety among farmers and traders. The district and many other regions of the country have been experiencing intense heat wave for about a month, which has caused the water bodies and ponds in the Barind region to dry up, resulting in the early drop of mangoes and litchi pods. Local mango growers and traders said the amount of buds in the mango trees of the district was much less than the previous year.Crop lands have been dried up due to absence of rains which is affecting mango and litchi production as well, they said. Already 30 percent mango pods have been dropped, said the mango growers. Gazipur train derailment: Salvage operation still on 24 hours post-collision According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), this year, a total of 19,602 hectares of land have been brought under mango cultivation, which is 24 hectares more than the previous year. The DAE authorities set a target to produce 2,60,164 tonnes of mangoes this year. But it is feared that even half of the target won’t be achieved due to the high rate of mango dropping. Bagha and Charghat upazilas of Rajshahi district are top in mango production but this year farmers are worried over possible losses.Abdul Mannan, a mango grower of Bagha upazila, said “Mangoes are produced in large quantities in Bagha upazila. But this year, most of the trees lack mangoes, making the farmers and traders disappointed. About 30 percent of the mango pods have dropped due to drought. Mango traders are worried about getting back the production cost.” Fear of fruit failure grips mango growers in Chapainawabganj as heatwave Intensifies Dr Shafiqul Islam, chief scientific officer of Rajshahi Fruit Research Centre, said, “The quantity of pods is good and if those sustain there is a possibility of good yield. But who can say about the heat wave? The current heat wave is causing problem not only for mangoes but also for litchi. To produce any crops, fruits and vegetables, water is needed. If there is a shortage of water, all of these will be affected.” Umme Salma, assistant director of Rajshahi DAE, said “Mangoes fall for different reasons, even rains cause fall of mango pods. This year small trees have enough mangoes while big ones have a little less. But dropping mango pods is normal. Farmers who failed to nurture the trees properly are witnessing more fall of mangoes.”

Bangladesh is preparing to introduce remote sensing and drones to detect crop damage caused by extreme weather events or diseases, said the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Around 20 officers of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) are initially receiving training to learn how to use the state-of-the-art technologies. Malay Choudhury, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, and Edimon Ginting, ADB Country Director for Bangladesh inaugurated a workshop titled “The Use of Drone and Satellite Image for Crop Monitoring and Crop Damage Assessment” in Dhaka on Tuesday to initiate a seven-day training programme. ADB forecasts Bangladesh's GDP growth at 6.1% in FY 2023-24, anticipates rise to 6.6% next year DAE and ADB jointly designed the training programme that will continue till April 25 April, according to ADB. Renowned geospatial experts from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) will conduct the training. The trainees will receive four days of classroom training on geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing analysis for crop damage detection and participate in a three-day field trip to Sylhet to learn how to collect ground data using mobile devices. Local DAE officials are expected to participate in the training in Sylhet, where the 2022 floods caused major crop damage. ADB to increase cooperation in Bangladesh climate actions: Environment Minister Proper assessment of crop diseases and losses are critical to take appropriate measures to ensure agricultural productivity and food security in the context of growing threats of climate change in Bangladesh, said Country Director Edimon Ginting. “ADB will continue to bring in innovative solutions including advanced technologies to help Bangladesh tackle climate impacts,” Ginting added. With advanced geospatial technology, our officers will be able to assess crop damage and provide effective government programs to mitigate the expected damage caused by climate change in the future, said Badal Chandra Biswas, Director General, DAE. PM Hasina seeks more support from ADB for socioeconomic uplift Following the training program, ADB and DAE plan to produce joint reports on crop damage assessment in the Sylhet region, conduct a project evaluation study of an ADB-supported integrated water management project in Gopalganj areas, and implement a nationwide climate disaster assessment in a small local government unit. Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific financed by the Government of Japan provided the grant fund for the training program through the Asian Development Bank.