Jum paddy cultivation on the slopes of the hills in the Chittagong Hill Tracts—known as jhum farming—has now entered the harvesting stage. Dependent entirely on nature, this year’s jhum fields are glowing golden under the autumn sun, bringing smiles to the faces of jhum farmers.
As far as the eye sight goes, the vast hilly landscape is painted with patches of green and golden-yellow, where ripe rice sways in the breeze. Timely rains allowed farmers to sow early this year, resulting in good yields. Some of the cultivators have already started harvesting, although, large-scale harvesting will begin within the next 15–20 days.
In many places, the rice is still green, while it has started to ripen in others places. Families of farmers are now busy guarding their fields, collecting companion crops such as pumpkin, maize, bottle gourd, and beans before focusing on rice harvesting.
In three hill districts—Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Rangamati—especially in remote villages, jhum farming is now at its busiest stage. However, near district towns, jhum fields have become rare due to increasing population, shrinking land and the expansion of fruit orchards. At present, most families cultivate paddy in small plots—half to one ari (traditional unit)—mainly to grow companion crops and preserve the age-old tradition.
Since same plot cannot be used for jhum every year, land is usually left fallow for 3–5 years to regain fertility before being cultivated again.
On Tuesday, during a random visit to Bot Toli Para in Alekhyong Union under Rowangchhari upazila, jhum farmer Bhalo Kumar Tanchangya (53) was found harvesting ripe rice along with his family members and a few hired female workers. Normally, jhum paddy plants grow waist-high, but his field produced stalks chest to neck-high this year.
“We sowed only two aris (1 ari equals 10 kg of seed) this year,” he explained.
“The rains and sunshine came exactly when needed, so the crop has grown well. Last year the weather was unfavorable, but this year the yield looks promising.” He expects to harvest about 150 aris of rice, just enough to sustain his family for the year. Alongside rice, his field also produced 30–35 types of companion crops including eggplant, okra, millet, chili, sweet pumpkin, and maize.
Another farmer, Utshab Lota Tanchangya (50), said the Tanchangyas call this rice variety Mongoy, while the Marmas call it Mongtong. “Last year I harvested 75 aris, but this year I expect around 150 aris,” he added with optimism.
Jhum cultivation follows a traditional seasonal cycle: November–December: Land for jhum is selected. January–February: Jungle is cleared. March–April: The felled vegetation is dried and then burned after preparing fire lines. April–May: With the arrival of rain, rice along with 30–35 types of companion crops such as sesame, cotton, millet, chili, beans, bottle gourd, and potato are sown.
Farmers who sow with the first rains of the Bengali month of Boishakh usually see their crops ripen earlier than those who sow later. Harvesting typically begins in late August or early September and continues through October, followed by threshing and drying. After transferring rice from field huts to the main house, the traditional Nabanna (new harvest festival) is celebrated in December–January.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), jhum cultivation and production in Bandarban district were as follows:2021: 8,378 hectares cultivated; 13,467 metric tons of rice produced. 2022: 8,292 hectares cultivated; 11,418 metric tons produced. 2023: 8,540 hectares cultivated; 10,489 metric tons produced. 2024–25 fiscal year: 8,267 hectares cultivated; 12,499 metric tons produced. 2025–26 fiscal year (current season): 7,300 hectares cultivated, with a production target of 10,366 metric tons. Next year’s target has been set at 8,360 hectares and 10,366 metric tons.
MM Shah Neaz, Deputy Director of the DAE in Bandarban, said “This year, Aus paddy has been cultivated on about 12,500 hectares in the district, of which jhum accounts for around 7,500 hectares. Farmers sowed on time in April and received adequate rainfall. With favorable weather conditions, we are expecting good yields. Due to micro-climatic variations, rice ripens earlier in some areas and later in others. Overall, we believe this year’s jhum harvest will be satisfactory.”
He added that various traditional varieties are grown in jhum fields—such as Boro dhan, Mongtong, Gellon dhan, black binni, red binni, white binni, and Natong Pru dhan. These indigenous seeds are preserved by local farmers and passed down through generations.
