Boro paddy harvesting has started in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur but farmers are worried about good price. In addition, the adverse weather and workers' crisis has caused farmers to worry about cutting paddy with workers at exorbitant prices.
Farmers said that although the insect infestation in the Boro lands is less in the current Boro season, the yield of paddy is not as expected. Due to unseasonal rains and wind, the yield of paddy is decreasing. On the other hand, farmers are not able to harvest paddy due to labor crisis. Uncut paddy are lying on many lands due to rain and wind. If the paddy is not harvested in time, there is a possibility of paddies being rotten in the fields.
According to the Kaharol Upazila Agriculture Extension Department, the level of Boro paddy cultivation has been increased from 5,252 hectares to 5,550 hectares in the current Boro season. According to the Agriculture Officer of Kaharol Upazila Agriculture Extension Department, Boro paddy has been harvested in 30 percent of the land till Saturday, yielding 8 MT of paddy per hectare. Now BRRI-28 and a little Miniket variety has been harvested. After a few days, different varieties of rice including BRRI-57, 29 and Hybrid will be harvested.
Farmer Abdul Aziz Bri sold paddy-28 paddy at Tk 750 per quintal at Kaharol Hat in Kaharol Upazila on Saturday. He said that this time Brie has planted paddy-26 in 5 acres of land. Compared to last time, this time the yield of paddy is less and the production cost is higher.
The officer-in-charge of Kaharol Upazila Food Warehouse said that this time paddy will be purchased directly from farmers through lottery. The lottery will be held on the 18th.