Photo : BSS

By Bipul Islam

LALMONIRHAT, Nov 24, 2025 (BSS) - Harvesting and threshing of Aman paddy in Lalmonirhat have reached their final stage, bringing with them the usual golden glow of ripe fields. 

But unlike previous years, farmers across the district are expressing frustration declining market prices and rising production costs.

According to farmers, the price of paddy at the beginning of the season has dropped by nearly Taka 100 per maund compared to last year. In 2024, paddy sold for up to Taka 1,260 per maund (40 kg), while this year the price has slipped to around Taka 1,150. Many fear that an increase in supply over the next few days may push prices down even further.

Abdur Rahman, 46, from Durgapur union in Aditmari upazila, said his crop suffered damage from wind and rain, worsening his financial strain.

“I sold 100 maunds of paddy. Compared to last year, the price per maund has decreased by Taka 100. If you calculate it, I’ve incurred a loss of around Taka 10,000,” he said.

Similar concerns were echoed by Sunil Chandra Roy, 64, of Balair Path village in Sadar upazila’s Panchagram union. He cultivated paddy on one acre of land and reported spending around Taka 13,000 per bigha on production due to his reliance on hired labor.

This season, he harvested 17 maunds of paddy per bigha, selling at Taka 1,150 per maund—amounting to Taka 19,550 in total. After deducting expenses, his profit stood at only about Taka 6,650.

“After six months of hard work, how can a family survive on such a small profit?” he asked.

Traders, too, say the situation is unlikely to change soon. Manik Mahajan, a major paddy trader at Barabari Bazar, said paddy is currently being purchased at Taka 1,150 to 1,160 per maund. “There is no possibility of an immediate price increase,” he said.

Farmers Shafiqul Islam, 42, and Taher Ali, 53, from Botmari union in Kaliganj upazila, highlighted the rising expenses across all stages of production—from land preparation and fertilizers to labor, harvesting, threshing, and transportation. 

They accused brokers and syndicates of manipulating prices early in the season, preventing farmers from earning fair returns. As a result, many marginal farmers continue to fear losses even when the harvest is good.

According to the District Agricultural Extension Department, Aman paddy has been cultivated on 86,645 hectares across the district this season, with a production target of 2,68,916 tons for the Kharif-2 season.

Dr. Md. Saikhul Arifin, Deputy Director of the District Agricultural Extension Department, said farmers have received regular support and that overall cultivation has improved.

“The cost of production has increased slightly, so there is scope for a rise in rice prices,” he said.

Farmers urged the government to take prompt measures to ensure fair paddy prices as they spent higher cost for producing staple crop.