Harvesting of this year’s Ropa Aman paddy has begun in Ishwardi, with agricultural officials expecting production to exceed the target. According to the local agriculture department, field conditions indicate that the total yield will be higher than the projected 12,200 metric tons.
Officials say favorable weather, timely rainfall, distribution of quality seeds and fertilizer as part of government incentives, and farmers’ dedicated efforts have contributed to the higher-than-expected production. Farmers across the upazila have also confirmed that Aman cultivation has been exceptionally good this season.
Sample crop-cutting events have already started across Ishwardi’s fields to mark the beginning of the harvest. On Thursday, a sample crop-cutting ceremony was organized in Ista village under the supervision of the Ishwardi Agriculture Extension Department. Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Momin, Agriculture Extension Officer Dhiman Tanvir Shakkhar, Plant Protection Sub-Assistant Officer Ekhlasur Rahman, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Sujon Kumar Roy, and local farmers were present.
According to the Ishwardi Upazila Agriculture Office, Aman has been cultivated on 3,665 hectares of land this year, with a production target of 12,200 metric tons. All seven unions of the upazila cultivate paddy, with the highest output typically coming from Muladuli and Dashuria unions. In the municipality area, Ista and Naricha also have significant cultivation.
Masud Rana, a farmer from Ista village, cultivated Aman paddy on his 10 bighas of land this season. “Judging by the fields, the yield looks very good,” he said. He expects to harvest 18 to 20 maunds of paddy per bigha. He spent Tk 10,000 to Tk 11,000 per bigha on cultivation, and with the current market price of Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,300 per maund, he hopes to earn about Tk 26,000 from 20 maunds—leaving him a profit of Tk 15,000 per bigha after expenses.
Another farmer, Tojammel Hossain from Gopalpur village in Sahapur Union, cultivated BRRI-103 variety Aman on 2 bighas. He said the crop has yielded well thanks to timely rainfall and favorable weather, reducing irrigation costs. He expects to harvest 40 maunds in total. With a cultivation cost of Tk 15,000 and an estimated income of Tk 52,000 (at Tk 1,300 per maund), his profit is expected to be Tk 37,000.
Abdul Alim, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer of Sahapur Union Block, said Aman has been cultivated on 35 hectares in the union, with hybrid varieties expected to yield 20–22 maunds per bigha and Upashi varieties 18–20 maunds. He noted that although there was a brief pest attack, rapid interventions prevented significant damage.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Momin said Aman cultivation covered 3,665 hectares this year, with production expected to surpass the 12,200-metric-ton target. “Sample crop-cutting has begun, and farmers are happily harvesting their fields,” he said. He added that timely distribution of government incentives, supply of high-yielding seeds, regular farmer training, and strong field-level monitoring have contributed to increasing yields of paddy and other crops in Ishwardi.
