Lalmonirhat farmers began harvesting Aman rice. Photo: BSS

By Bipul Islam

LALMONIRHAT, Nov 23, 2025 (BSS) - A golden hue has spread across the paddy fields of Lalmonirhat as farmers begin harvesting Aman rice, raising hopes of surpassing this year’s production target. 

Despite intermittent rainfall causing minor damage in some areas, farmers across the district remain optimistic about a bumper yield.

A visit to fields across the district’s five upazilas revealed bustling harvesting activity. Workers armed with sickles were seen cutting ripe paddy, while others carried the yield on their heads or transported it home on trolleys and vans. 

Laborers from local and neighboring districts have also joined the harvesting efforts, adding momentum to the work.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Aman rice has been cultivated on 86,645 hectares of land this season, with a production target of 2,68,916 tons for the Kharif-2 season.

Liton Mia, 38, of Panchagram union in Sadar upazila, said harvesting in his field is almost complete, with drying and threshing underway. 

“There is some worry as a portion of the paddy is still in the field,” he said.

Another farmer from the same area, 66-year-old Sunil Chandra Roy, said that the cost of cultivating one bigha of land has reached Taka 12,000–13,000 this year. 

“At best, I will get around 17 maunds of paddy, which is worth Taka 19,550. The profit seems very low considering the time and effort,” he said.

In Kaliganj upazila, Mominul Islam, 42, who cultivated paddy on two bighas of land, said labour costs are weighing heavily on farmers. “Workers charge around Taka 15,000 per acre for cutting and threshing. After calculating all costs, the profit is minimal,” he said.

Farmers in Aditmari and Bhelabari echoed similar concerns. Badiyar Rahman, 50, and Abbas Ali, 55, said that although market prices for paddy are fair, acute labour shortages and rising wages have pushed up production costs. “Many farmers are barely breaking even, and some are at risk of making losses,” they added.

In Borabari Bazar, paddy trader Manik Mahajan, 47, said raw paddy is currently selling for Taka 1,000 to 1,180 per maund. “If the current trend continues, prices may rise further,” he observed.

Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Khandaker Sohael Ahmed said farmers received regular support in cultivating ropa Aman, resulting in cultivation exceeding the target this season. Harvesting has already begun across most areas, he added.

Deputy Director of DAE, Lalmonirhat, Dr. Md. Saikhul Arifin attributed the expected high yield to favourable weather and the increased use of technology. He also predicted that rice prices would remain stable as new harvests enter the market.