Despite the relentless heat engulfing the country and the collective prayers for rain, farmers in Naogaon are not hoping for showers at the moment. The scorching weather offers hope to paddy farmers in the region.
In Barshail Union of Naogaon Sadar, farmers are working tirelessly from morning till afternoon, cutting paddy in the fields amid the sweltering heat.
Conversations with these rice farmers reveal their optimism for a good yield this year, given the favourable weather conditions so far.
However, they expressed concern over the potential damage from thunderstorms and hail, which could result in damage to their harvest. Even a slight rainfall during this crucial period could result in water accumulation in low-lying areas, jeopardizing their crops.
Moreover, the increased production costs — from labour, fertilizers, pesticides, to electricity — have added to their worries from planting to harvesting.
Despite the scorching heat, they remain content as long as they can safely bring home their harvest.
Akkas, a farmer of Raninagar, said: "Today, I'm harvesting paddy in 2 bighas of land. Some of the paddy is not completely ripe. If a storm hits now, it could devastate our harvest. Accumulated water in the land would disrupt the harvesting process, and we can't afford to leave the paddy in the fields. Moreover, this year, the costs have risen due to increased prices of labour, fertilizers, pesticides, and electricity. Despite the challenges, our happiness lies in safely bringing home the rice yield."
Altaf, another farmer, said: "The weather has been favourable this year, leading to excellent rice growth without any issues related to sun or heat. However, any rain now could cause significant damage to our crops. Therefore, we're hoping for more days of this pleasant weather to ensure a successful harvest."
According to sources from the District Agriculture Extension Department, around 191,425 hectares of land have been cultivated in the district this year, with an expected production of about 1,285,215 tons of rice. The department anticipates a rice production of 856,800 tons owing to the successful cultivation of paddy.
