Paddy, rice procurement begins today in six Haor districts

Unplanned embankments worsen flooding, crop losses reported

FE Team | Published: May 02, 2026 23:16:24

The government has taken initiatives to preserve and sell Boro paddy and rice of farmers in Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Sunamganj, Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Habiganj, affected by sudden tidal surges.
To this end, the previously scheduled date for rice collection (May 15) has been advanced, and the collection of paddy and rice from farmers in the Haor region will begin today (Sunday), said a press release on Friday, reports BSS.
On the other hand, for farmers in other districts of the country, the collection of paddy and rice will commence according to the pre-determined schedule -- paddy collection from May 3 and rice collection from May 15.
In the upcoming Boro season, the government will purchase 1.8 million metric tons of paddy and rice from the domestic market. This includes 500,000 tonnes of paddy, 1.2 million tonnes of parboiled rice and 100,000 tonnes of Atap rice.
The government also has set the procurement price at Tk 36 per kg for paddy, Tk 49 per kg for parboiled rice and Tk 48 per kg for Atap rice. In addition to paddy and rice, 50,000 metric tons of wheat will also be purchased at Tk 36 per kg.
UNB adds: Unplanned embankments and heavy rainfall have worsened waterlogging in Sunamganj's haor basin, causing widespread damage to Boro paddy and triggering concern among farmers and experts over recurring agricultural losses in the region.
Haor movement leader and farmer Professor Chittaranjan Talukdar (70) said the current season reflects a recurring pattern of severe waterlogging, locally described as "kachaira" years, which reappear periodically and devastate crops.
"This year is another kachaira year. Earlier people could not realise the scale of losses due to lack of communication, but now it is visible," he said, adding that unplanned embankments and blocked drainage channels have turned haors into "water pockets."
Officials estimate around 9,548 hectares of paddy have been submerged so far, but farmers and haor activists claim the actual damaged area is far higher, exceeding 60,000 hectares.
In Jamalganj and Dirai upazilas' Pagnar haor, farmers said flooding began early, and disputes over embankment cutting even led to clashes before Eid-ul-Fitr. Large portions of both standing and harvested crops are now submerged.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Habiganj, a total of 11,538 hectares of Boro paddy and 55 hectares of summer vegetables across nine upazilas have been affected by floodwaters.
Of the affected cropland, around 5,623 hectares have been completely damaged, while 5,915 hectares have suffered partial damage.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Netrokona, agriculturist Md Amirul Islam, said 1,85,547 hectares of land have been cultivated with boro this season, including 41,065 hectares in five haor upazilas.
He noted that continuous rainfall since April 28 has caused significant damage, with submerged land increasing sharply from 1,675 hectares last week to 9,500 hectares.