Farmers in the Khulna region have started harvesting Boro paddy in full swing, driven by concerns that natural calamities, including cyclonic storms, could damage their crops.
Officials said around 12% of Boro paddy cultivated in the region--covering Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Narail--has already been harvested.
A total of 2.67 lakh hectares of land was brought under Boro cultivation in the four districts, with a production target of 12.21 lakh tons. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), about 12,21,391 tons of Boro paddy have already been produced from 2,66,993 hectares.
In Khulna, Boro was cultivated on 66,000 hectares, with a production target of 3.16 lakh tons. So far, 5,262 hectares--around 12% of the cultivated land--have been harvested.
In Bagerhat, farmers cultivated Boro on 67,622 hectares with a target of 3.24 lakh tons. Harvesting has been completed on 2,045 hectares, accounting for about 5% of the total area.
In Satkhira, Boro cultivation covered 80,800 hectares with a target of 3.42 lakh tons. Of this, 9,928 hectares, or roughly 14%, have been harvested.
In Narail, farmers cultivated Boro on 50,297 hectares with a production target of 2.30 lakh tons. Harvesting has been completed on 4,025 hectares, representing 8.9% of the total area.
DAE Deputy Director for Khulna Nazrul Islam said favourable weather conditions, including timely rainfall, have boosted prospects for achieving the desired production.
He added that the use of quality seeds, proper fertiliser application, close monitoring and guidance from field-level agricultural officials have contributed to the bumper output.
During a visit to paddy fields in Dumuria upazila, farmers were seen working from dawn to dusk to harvest and store their crops amid a prevailing heatwave.
Farid Khan, a farmer from Tipna village, said he harvested 22 maunds of paddy per bigha this season, compared to 19 maunds last year. He cultivated Boro on 13 bighas and expressed optimism due to favourable conditions.
Masum Hasan, a farmer from Golna village, said many farmers are involving even school-going children in harvesting efforts to bring in crops before the arrival of nor'westers and possible hailstorms.
According to DAE sources, around 2.64 lakh hectares of land were initially brought under Boro cultivation in the Khulna region this season, with a production target of approximately 12.10 lakh tons.