Bangladesh is expecting a record rice harvest in the current Boro season, though farmers are in despair over falling paddy prices.
The total cultivated Boro area has increased to about 5.05 million hectares, while the production target has been set at 22 million tonnes in the current financial year.
This follows an all-time-high output of 21.3 million tonnes in the last fiscal year, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
DAE sources say preliminary estimates put the acreage at 5.05 million hectares, which may be revised after final assessment.
The cultivated area was 4.88 million hectares in FY25, according to BBS data.
DAE Deputy Director (Monitoring) Dr Md Abu Zafur Al Munsur says climatic conditions between January and March were favourable for paddy growth and maturity.
He says the number of nor'westers and hailstorms has been lower this year, although some concerns remain in the haor region.
"If paddy can be harvested quickly in the haor areas, we could achieve a record output this year," he says. So far, about 11 per cent of the haor region's paddy - accounting for roughly 8-10 per cent of total production - has been harvested.
Nationwide, around 2 per cent of the harvest has been completed, says Munsur.
DAE Director General Md Abdur Rahim says cultivated areas have expanded in the Sylhet region and the southern belt, with many fallow lands brought under farming in recent years.
He adds that newer varieties, such as BRRI dhan-88, BRRI dhan-107, and BRRI dhan-108, have performed well, while the key varieties - BRRI dhan-28 and BRRI dhan-29 - have also shown strong results.
"If weather conditions remain stable and hailstorms are limited, we expect a bumper harvest," he says.
However, former Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) executive chairman Dr Wais Kabir cautions that while production prospects are good, harvesting remains the critical phase.
He says rising diesel prices and fuel shortages are disrupting harvesting and transportation in haor areas, where over 70 per cent of land depends on combined harvesters.
He also mentions a shortage of labour in the region, stressing the need for immediate deployment of more harvesting machines.
Farm economist Prof Dr Rashidul Hoque says paddy prices have already started falling with the beginning of harvest, which is concerning as farmers recently suffered losses in potato and onion production.
"If farmers fail to make profits in the Boro season, it may discourage them from continuing rice cultivation," he warns.
He says farmers in Rangpur and Rajshahi have already begun shifting towards maize cultivation.
He suggests the government immediately start rice procurement and purchase as much paddy as possible to stabilise the market and support farmers.
Coarse paddy prices fell to Tk 1,000-1,100 per maund (40 kg) in haor and lowlands from Tk 1,250-1,350 per maund two weeks back, while the production cost is a minimum of Tk 1,300 per maund, according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) and DAE.
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