Bumper Aman harvest brings smiles to Manikganj farmers

District set to earn Tk 3.30b

Our Correspondent | Published: December 09, 2025 20:44:54 | Updated: December 10, 2025 14:01:31

MANIKGANJ, Dec 09: The arrival of autumn has brought smiles to farmers' faces as paddy harvesting is now in full swing across the fields of Manikganj district.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the Aman season is expected to generate nearly Tk 3.30 billion (Tk 330 crore) in trade this year.
All seven upazilas of the district have witnessed bumper Aman production, with both transplanted and broadcast Aman cultivated on a large scale.
The DAE reports that during the 2025-26 fiscal year, transplanted Aman was grown on 13,238 hectares of land-1,170 hectares more than last year. In addition, broadcast Aman cultivation covered 18,561 hectares.
Favourable weather conditions have led to impressive yields, with transplanted Aman producing 17-20 maunds per bigha. Farmers have enjoyed a season with timely irrigation, minimal pest attacks, and ideal weather, contributing to one of the highest yields in recent years.
Beyond paddy, straw sales have emerged as a significant income source this season, with each bigha of straw selling for Tk 7,000-8,000.
However, the cost of cultivation has risen by nearly 40 per cent in recent years. The price of fertiliser, irrigation, pesticides, and labour has increased, while paddy prices have not kept pace. Farmers are now spending Tk 13,000-15,000 per bigha for cultivation. Rahman Miah, a farmer from Hatipara village in Manikganj Sadar, shared his experience: "The weather was perfect throughout the season. Sunlight, water, everything was in our favor. I harvested 18 maunds per bigha. The price could have been a little higher, but I'm still satisfied since the yield was good."
Khokan Hossain, another farmer from the same village, echoed similar concerns: "Production costs have increased by almost 40 per cent in recent years. Fertiliser, irrigation, pesticides, and labour-everything is costly now, but the price of paddy hasn't increased accordingly. I spent Tk 13,000-15,000 per bigha. After selling the paddy and straw, I will make Tk 13,000-14,000 profit per bigha."
In Kamta village of Saturia, farmer Abdul Hai said, "For the past two years, storms and heavy rains damaged the crops. This year, I harvested 50 maunds from three bighas. I also sold straw worth almost Tk 20,000. After many setbacks, this harvest feels like a fresh start."
Another farmer from Kamta, Ramzan Ali, added, "This year's yield made us really happy. I got 17-18 maunds per bigha. But fertiliser, pesticides, and irrigation costs are very high. Straw prices saved us this season. We want the government to raise paddy prices."
Solim Uddin from the Fukurhati area remarked, "Without machines, it wouldn't be possible to harvest so quickly and cheaply. I got about 90 maunds from five bighas. If the price increases a little, the entire season will be profitable."
Shahjahan Siraj, Deputy Director of the DAE in Manikganj, praised the results: "Aman production has been excellent this year. Weather conditions were favourable, and farmers took proper care of their fields. With both paddy and straw sales, farmers have genuinely benefited this season. If we can reduce cultivation costs a bit more, this autumn period will truly become festive for them."
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