Rajshahi, Dec 13 (V7N) – Farmers across the Rajshahi region are growing increasingly anxious as Aman paddy prices have dropped sharply during peak harvesting season. To stabilize the market and ensure fair prices, the government has launched its annual rice and paddy procurement program.

Local correspondents from different upazilas reported that in markets such as Talondo, Kaliganj, Choubaria, Kalma, and Billi, farmers are selling Aman paddy at Tk 1,100 to 1,200 per maund. At these rates, farmers say they cannot recover production costs.

Abu Bakr, a farmer from Kaliganj in Tanore upazila, said that some fields are still awaiting harvest, while expenses for fertilizer, labor, and irrigation have risen significantly. With current market prices, he is facing losses. He added that the only relief comes from the relatively good price of straw, which helps offset part of the production cost.

According to the Directorate General of Food, the government began procuring rice and paddy on November 20 to ensure fair prices for growers. The program will continue until February 28. In Rajshahi, authorities plan to buy 954 metric tons of paddy at Tk 34 per kg and 6,391 metric tons of rice at Tk 50 per kg. Nationwide, the government targets the purchase of 50,000 metric tons of paddy, 600,000 metric tons of parboiled rice, and 50,000 metric tons of atap rice. Officials expect prices to rise once the procurement drive reaches full scale.

Data from the Rajshahi Department of Agricultural Extension show that Aman was cultivated on 83,550 hectares this season, with a production target of 317,490 metric tons. Last year, 84,105 hectares were cultivated, producing 318,323 metric tons. About 95 percent of the harvest has already been completed this year.

Agriculture experts say the current price decline is largely due to increased supply as freshly harvested crops enter the market. They added that field-level monitoring has been intensified, and upazila agriculture officers have been instructed to ensure proper execution of the procurement program so farmers receive fair prices. Authorities are also working to make it easier for farmers to deliver their crops to purchase centers.

Officials believe that once government procurement accelerates and local warehouses begin full operations, market prices of paddy are likely to rebound.

END/MRA/SMA/