Farmers in Rajshahi are frustrated with the lack of fair prices they received for their Aman produce despite exceeding the district's production target by three lakh tons.
According to the additional director's office at the district's Department of Agriculture (DAE), the Aman production target in Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts was 9.71 lakh spanning 3.96 hectares of land.
But the actual Aman production exceeded the target to 12.7 lakh metric tons, with the highest registered in Naogaon at 6.31 lakh tons across 1.97 lakh hectares, and the remaining 3.89 lakh tons cultivated across the other three districts of the country's northern region.
Deb DulalDhaly, additional director at Rajshahi DAE office, said 99% of the paddies have been cut and ready for sale. He also acknowledged the target exceed.
Sources at the DAE office said 1.6 lakh Aman farmers were behind the hard work.
They also said the government intends to procure only 8,150 tons out of the 12.7 lakh tons. As a result, farmers have to sell their produce in the markets, where allegations of low prices have been found.
Several farmers said they sold their Aman produce at Tk600-700 per maund, which they believe should be Tk900 per maund.
Saiful Islam, one such farmer from Durgapur upazila, said he sold his produce for Tk700-750 per maund, which was not enough to recuperate his costs.
MaqbulHossain, another farmer from Bagmara upazila, said the average cost behind per bigha of farmland is Tk20,000-Tk25,000, which includes fertilizer, irrigation, seedlings, pesticides and labour costs. Each bigha can yield 16-18 maunds of rice.
"Farmers are selling Aman produce at Tk650-800 per maund," he said, adding "This only brings in Tk10,000. As a result, we have to incur losses up to Tk15,000 per maund."
MizanurRahman, of Mohonpur upazila, said Aman paddies are difficult to cultivate as it is more prone to pest attacks than other crops, resulting in increased pesticide costs. That is why I opted out of Aman cultivation this year. I also heard farmers have not received fair prices for their produce this year."
