Photo: BSS

By Md Tanvir Hayat Khan

NETROKONA, Nov 18, 2025 (BSS) - Farmers in Netrokona district, who are busy harvesting their Aman paddy, are happy because the yield is good and the price of paddy is favorable this year.

This year, Aman paddy has been cultivated on 1,35,840 hectares of land.

As most of the cropland in the district’s three haor-covered upazilas—Madan, Mohanganj, and Khaliajuri—is submerged under water, the remaining seven upazilas play a crucial role in Aman paddy cultivation. Although there was no natural disaster this year, the crop suffered damage from viruses and insects. The cost of cultivating Aman paddy remains low, especially since it relies on rainwater for irrigation.

During a visit to Durgapur and Kalmakanda upazilas, it was observed that farmers are busy harvesting Aman paddy grown at the foot of the hills. They are also preparing to celebrate the Nabanna festival in their homes.

The harvest of Ropa Aman and Boro brings a festive atmosphere to every farmer’s household. At this time, farmers engage in various activities, including boiling the new rice, sun-drying it, and storing it.

Rehana Parveen, a farmer from Uluati village in Sadar Upazila, said that after harvesting the golden rice from their fields, their work continues with tasks such as preparing the area for drying the rice, threshing it, boiling it, sun-drying, and storing it. “We all do these tasks together with joy, but it is certainly hard work,” she added.

“When the new rice comes home,” she said, “farmers’ faces light up, and the hustle and bustle of making pitha, puli, and payesh with the fresh rice begins in every household.”

Amirul Islam, a farmer from Kalikapur village, said that this year’s Aman harvest has been very good. He has cultivated Aman on 20 kathas of land and received 4 mounds of paddy per katha. 

Nurul Islam, a farmer from the same village, has cultivated Aman on 32 kathas of land. He said that since there is no irrigation cost this season, farmers have benefited from paddy cultivation and can expect a profit beyond the cost.

Rice traders believe that this year's harvest is good and the market is favorable. They collect rice from marginal farmers, process it, and supply it to different districts across the country.

Rice trader Saiful Islam buys rice from marginal farmers and supplies it to big traders in the market. He expressed hope that farmers will get good prices for paddy this year. Raw paddy is currently fluctuating between 1,000 and 1,100 taka per maund. He believes the price will rise further after the paddy is dried.

Talking to local farmers, it was found that despite the favorable market, there is a severe shortage of paddy harvesters. Workers are not as available as before, with many moving to cities. Most of the workers, including paddy harvesters, are heading to Dhaka for work.

Even when workers are available, they do not want to work for the wages farmers expect. As a result, farmers are forced to hire harvester machine owners.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Md. Amirul Islam told BSS, "Netrokona is a haor-surrounded district. Paddy harvesting has already started. Till today, a total of 23,093 hectares have been harvested, which is 16 percent of the total area.”