Workers filling sacks with newly-harvested T-Aman paddy at a rice depot under Boraigram upazila of Natore on Sunday — FE Photo NARAIL, Dec 02 (BSS): Farmers in three upazilas of the district are very satisfied with bumper production of Aman paddy and fair prices this season.
While visiting different areas of the district, this correspondent found farmers were busy harvesting Aman paddy.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) officials here today said the department set a target of bringing 34,740 hectares of land under T-Aman paddy cultivation this year with estimating yield of 90,667 tonnes of rice.
Taking advantage of favourable climate condition, the growers cultivated Aman rice in 37,875 hectares of land, higher by 3,135 hectares than that of the target, they said.
The Bangladesh Agriculture Department Corporation (BADC) supplied good quality seed among the growers to achieve a good yield as different state run commercial banks and NGOs disbursed agri-loans on easy terms to the poor and marginal farmers to help them cultivate the paddy.
Narail DAE Deputy Director Chinmoy Roy said about 72 per cent harvest of Aman paddy has already been completed until December 01.
Currently, a maund (37.33kg) of Aman paddy is being sold from Tk 650 to Tk 700 at different markets in the district while the production cost of each maund was Tk 425 to Tk 450, farmers said.
Meanwhile, our roving correspondent from Natore adds: T-Aman growers in the district are disappointed over the low market prices.
Sources said the growers have achieved a bumper yield of Aman paddy this season but most of the farmers are selling their produce at the rate that does not even cover their cost.
Newly-harvested T-Aman rice is being sold at Tk 600 to Tk 620 in the local market across the district.
Abbas Ali of Shingra upazila said he has cultivated T-Aman paddy in five bighas of land spending Tk 72,000.
The farmer said he got 110 maunds of rice. He sold all of his produce at Tk 66,000.
"It does not even cover my production cost", he further said.
Husking mill owner Md Mobarrak Ali said the buyers are keeping an eye on the political situation as the general election is knocking at the door.
The price may increase after a few days as the government announced procurement price at Tk 36 per kg.
Deputy director of DAE Rafiqul Islam said farmers got a good production amid a favourable weather condition.
He urged the authority concerned to take measures so that the growers can get fair prices of their hard earned produce
Nilphamari
Our Nilphamari correspondent adds: Aman harvest started in the district a few days ago and it would continue for the next one month.
Sources said labourer shortage delays the harvest.
Most of the people in the district who work as farm labourers left their homes for the southern districts as paddy harvest in those areas started one and a half month ago.
DAE sources said Aman was cultivated in 1,06,814 hectares of land in the district.
The production target is 2,91,474 tonnes.
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