Boro paddy harvesting gains momentum as farmers expect bumper production despite intermittent rain disrupting operations in district. Photo : BSS

MANIKGANJ, May 16, 2026 (BSS) - Harvesting of Boro paddy is progressing in full swing across all seven upazilas of the district with farmers expecting a bumper production this season.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a target was set to cultivate Boro paddy on 48,764 hectares of land in the district during the current season with an estimated production target of 248,156 metric tonnes of rice.

However, farmers cultivated Boro on 49,021 hectares of land, exceeding the target by 657 hectares, DAE sources said.

Agriculture officials attributed the expected bumper production to the timely supply of quality seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs alongside favourable weather conditions prevailing during the cultivation period.

However, intermittent rainfall during the harvesting season is hampering smooth harvesting activities in some areas, the sources added.

Farmers said they are increasingly using combine harvesters to cut paddy due to an acute shortage of agricultural labourers.

Use of harvesting machines has made the process easier, faster and comparatively less expensive, they added.