Mohadevpur Dorpan, Q, M, Sayeed Tito, Naogaon, 19 December 2019 :

Farmers say they are incurring losses of Tk3,000 to Tk5,000 from harvest in each bigha of land

Loss in paddy cultivation this year continues to trouble farmers in Raninagar Upazila of Naogaon as they are incurring a loss in their initial yield during Aman season.

The emergence of blast disease already decreased the expected production of the Aman variety. Farmers say they have been selling their produce at a poor deal of Tk580 to Tk710 per maund.

Farmer Suruj Mia, of Karaj village, said: “I have spent a total of Tk15,000 to cultivate paddy per bigha of my land. My harvest dwindled five to six maund compared to last year because of the disease. Also, the price is not enough, I am incurring losses of Tk3,000 to Tk5,000 from harvest in each bigha of my land.

Farmer Sultan of Ekdala village expressed a similar sentiment, He added: “It will be difficult for us to grow paddy in future if the situation persists.”

Upazila Agriculture Officer Shahidul Islam said: “Farmers have planted paddy in 18,125 hectares of land during this year’s Aman season in Raninagar. We are expecting a total yield of 81,562 tons. The yield may slightly decrease because of the blast disease.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Al Mamun said: “Rice procurement will begin soon for the listed farmers. We have already began to make the list in several unions. When the procurement begins, paddy price will rise in the local market, and farmers will get a better price for their produce.