Farmers in Southwestern Bangladesh Busy with Ropa Aman Cultivation
Farmers across southwestern Bangladesh have completed transplanting Ropa Aman rice, transforming the region into a vibrant sea of green during Ashwin. Cultivation spans Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Narail, and Jessore districts, where coastal climate challenges and preparations in low-lying aquaculture enclosures often delay farming schedules by twenty to thirty days compared to other parts of the country.
Timely monsoon rainfall has recently inundated farmlands, providing a much-needed boon by restoring essential soil moisture during growth stages. Agricultural officials report that farmers are actively utilizing high-yielding, nutrient-dense varieties such as BRRI dhan 49, BRRI dhan 75, and BRRI dhan 90, while receiving close supervision and guidance from the Department of Agricultural Extension.
Despite favorable crop conditions, a significant spike in production costs has cast a heavy cloud of financial worry over the agricultural community. Expenses that previously ranged between 15,000 and 18,000 BDT per bigha have surged to 18,000 to 21,000 BDT, driven heavily by soaring prices for diesel, chemical fertilizers, agricultural labor wages, and pesticides.
Bikarul Islam, a farmer from Batiaghata Upazila, highlighted the relief brought by recent weather, stating that the rain refreshed his drying fields and saved him from extra irrigation expenses. However, Aminul Islam from Tala Upazila voiced severe hardship, explaining that soaring fuel and fertilizer prices have severely squeezed profit margins and pushed farming expenses to unsustainable levels.
Emphasizing vital crop management, Khulna DAE Deputy Director Md. Nazrul Islam advised daily field inspections and warned against prolonged water stagnation while noting that field officers are conducting community courtyard meetings. Authorities remain optimistic about a strong yield, provided favorable weather holds and no major natural disasters disrupt the harvest season.
