In recent months, devastating flooding has caused extensive damage to Aman paddy on millions of hectares of land across Bangladesh, dealing a heavy blow to agriculture in many areas of the country.
In addition to widespread damage to Aman paddy, floods have also devastated other crops particularly in the eastern regions, affecting rural livelihoods and food security.
Agriculture experts warn that a shortfall in Aman rice production could disrupt food security across the country, especially in the traditionally food-surplus districts.
Aman rice accounts for around 40 per cent of the country’s rice output, with the Boro season yielding the highest contribution at 55 per cent, and the rest coming from Aush.
This year's severe floods have delayed Aman’s growth cycle, impacting not only production but also the timing of Boro planting—a delay that could reduce overall rice output.
Mymensingh is a key food surplus region in Bangladesh, supplying at least 10 per cent of the country’s total food demand. Along with the districts of Jamalpur, Sherpur, and Netrakona, Mymensingh collectively produced 4,488,950 tonnes of food in the fiscal year 2023-24.
In contrast, regional demand amounted to only 1,807,233 tonnes, leaving a surplus of 2,681,717 tonnes, which supports the food needs of the capital and nearby districts.
In Mymensingh region, Sherpur district has been particularly hit by floods. Farmers cultivated rice on nearly 95,790 hectares of land, but over 37,000 hectares of land have been inundated by floodwater.
The neighbouring Netrakona district also faced significant losses, with Aman rice on 24,667 hectares of land and vegetables on 177 hectares of land were submerged by floodwater.
This year production of Aman paddy is projected to fall 35 per cent short of its target in Noakhali, a district in the south.
Before floods, agricultural authorities had aimed to cultivate 174,145 hectares of land with a projected yield of 713,993 tonnes of rice.
However, post-flood assessments indicate a reduced cultivation area of 123,727 hectares, with production now forecasted to reach only 507,280 tonnes—roughly 30 per cent lower than anticipation.
Floods devastate
Aman paddy
Meera Rani Das, Deputy Director of Noakhali District Agriculture Extension Department, said, “With lower paddy production, we expect a decrease in rice output. If weather remains favourable, however, farmers may increase Boro cultivation in areas where Aman has been heavily affected. To offset Aman losses, we are providing Boro seeds and essential materials to affected farmers.”
In light of these challenges, the government has ramped up initiatives to mitigate the effects of crop losses.
According to Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, recent floods have damaged significant portions of Aman harvest.
“We’ve estimated the extent of the damage and are encouraging farmers to increase Aush production to mitigate losses. Despite these efforts, an estimated deficit of 800,000 to 900,000 tonnes remains, which we plan to address through imports,” he said.
To this end, the government has recommended lifting duties on rice imports to stabilise supply and prevent price spikes.
International organisations, such as the World Food Programme (WFP), have also weighed in on the crisis. The WFP recently reported that these devastating floods have not only affected agriculture but also strained the nation’s economy, leaving an estimated 30 per cent of people unable to afford necessary food. This rate climbs to 36 per cent among low-income families, with 29 per cent of households resorting to reducing food expenses to cope with the crisis.
Several high-yield districts—Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, and Sherpur, among others—are facing substantial setbacks. These regions typically boast rice surpluses ranging from 80 per cent to 183 per cent. In contrast, Kurigram, Jamalpur, and others have rice surpluses between 51 per cent and 77 per cent.
However, districts such as Dhaka, Chattogram, and Gazipur face rice shortages, highlighting disparities in food security across the nation.
The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) identifies Dhaka, Chattogram, and Gazipur as regions with the highest shortages, with deficits ranging from 46 per cent to 91 per cent. Neighbouring districts, including Manikganj and Narsingdi, face 19 per cent to 40 per cent shortages, making them especially vulnerable to the recent disruptions in rice production.
The anticipated deficits in surplus regions could exacerbate shortages in these already rice-deficient areas, potentially leading to a nationwide rice crisis if immediate action is not taken.
In response, agricultural authorities are focusing on expanding Boro rice production, which is considered essential to closing the gap left by reduced Aman yields. However, challenges remain. Floods destroyed much of the Boro seed stock held by farmers, adding to the delays in the planting season.
However, the government will procure a total of 10 lakh metric tonnes (MTs) of food grains from the marginal farmers across the country during the upcoming Aman season.
Under the programme, 3.5 lakh MTs paddy, 5.5 lakh MTs boiled rice and the rest one lakh MTs Atap rice will be procured.
The decision was taken Wednesday at the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) meeting held at the cabinet division conference room of the Bangladesh Secretariat here.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Food Secretary Md Masudul Hasan said the government has fixed the paddy procurement price at Tk 33 per kg, boiled rice at Tk 47 per kg and Atap rice at Tk 46 per kg.
The paddy and boiled rice procurement drive will begin on November 17 and will continue till February 28 in 2025, he added.
Besides, he informed that the Atap rice procurement drive will begin on November 17 and will continue till March 15, 2025.
However, unscrupulous traders and brokers are preventing farmers from receiving fair prices for their paddy, forcing them to sell below production costs and suffer financial losses.
Many farmers are also unable to sell their paddy to government institutions because of interference from brokers and middlemen. If the government could ensure paddy purchases at the fixed price, farmers could offset losses.
