Dinajpur District is poised for a bumper yield of Iri-Boro paddy this season. Photo: BSS

DINAJPUR, March 30, 2026 (BSS) - The district is poised for a bumper yield of Iri-Boro paddy this season, with cultivation exceeding the set target across its 13 upazilas.

Deputy Director of Dinajpur Agriculture Department Md. Afzal Hossain said that Boro paddy has been planted on an additional 1,850 hectares of land this season, surpassing the target of 172,800 hectares. The total cultivation area now stands at 174,650 hectares.

"With favorable weather and support from the Agriculture Department, we have been able to expand Iri-Boro cultivation," said Md. Hossain. "If there is no natural disaster, we are aiming to produce over 8 lakh metric tons of rice in the district this season."

Dinajpur, widely recognized as a surplus district in rice and paddy production, is now witnessing fields glowing green as the ears of Boro rice sway in the wind. Farmers are busy with irrigation and weeding to ensure a quality harvest.

Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Deputy Director of the District Department of Agricultural Extension (Training and Crops), said farmers completed planting Iri-Boro rice in all 13 upazilas by March 15. 

"Now, farmers are focusing on irrigation and field maintenance. Through electric motor-driven irrigation systems, 95 percent of the cultivated land is being supplied with water, supported by uninterrupted electricity from the Power Department," he added.

Farmers expressed satisfaction with the irrigation facilities. Shafiqul Islam of Auliapur village in Dinajpur Sadar upazila said, "Electric irrigation machines have made rice cultivation much easier. We only pay half of the contract amount upfront, and the rest after harvesting." Similar remarks were made by Subhash Chandra Roy and Faridul Islam from Naniatekar village in Chirirbandar upazila, who are hopeful for a bumper harvest.

The Agriculture Department noted that improved rice varieties-Bri 23, 29, 102, 89, 90, 92, and Bri 104 Chikon-along with thick rice varieties Bri Tia, Moyna, Syngenta-Bri 1205, and Bri-1204 have been cultivated across the district this season.

So far, no major cultivation problems have been reported from any of the 13 upazilas, raising optimism for a strong harvest in Dinajpur, often referred to as the "food district" of the country.