Monsoon rain spurs paddy transplantation across Barind

RAJSHAHI, July 19: With monsoon rains replenishing fields across the Barind region, farmers in Godagari Upazila of Rajshahi have begun transplanting Aman  paddy seedlings in full swing, raising hopes of a good harvest this season.

The recent rainfall has created favourable conditions for transplantation, prompting hundreds of farmers to prepare land, uproot seedlings from nurseries and transplant them across vast stretches of farmland.

During a visit to different fields in the upazila on Friday, this correspondent found farmers working from dawn to dusk. Men and women, including indigenous women, were seen clearing weeds, preparing land and transplanting seedlings in waterlogged fields.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the upazila has set a target of cultivating transplanted Aman  on 23,752 hectares of land this season.

Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer Mominul Islam said the target could be exceeded if favourable weather continues throughout the planting period.

He also said farmers have already completed Aus cultivation on 12,810 hectares of land.

Abdul Awal, a farmer from Bejra Village in Godagari Union, said he plans to cultivate transplanted Aman  seedlings on eight bighas of land this year.

"I have already transplanted seedlings on three bighas. If the weather remains favourable, I will complete planting on the remaining land soon," he said.

Farmers Ziaur Rahman, Abul Kashem and Fatik Mia from Mahishalbari area said the ongoing rainfall has significantly improved field conditions and created an ideal environment for those yet to begin transplanting.

However, many farmers expressed concern over rising production costs.

Hasan Ali, another farmer from Mahishalbari, said the prices of fertilisers and pesticides have increased sharply, while labour costs have also risen.

"It now costs more than Tk 10,000 to Tk 12,000 to cultivate one bigha of Aman land. I had to take a loan from an NGO to finance cultivation. If the harvest is poor, I will face serious financial hardship," he said.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Mariam Ahmed said farmers are showing strong interest in Aman  cultivation this year.

Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Abul Hossain said around 20 percent of the targeted land has already been brought under transplanted Aman  cultivation, with planting in the remaining fields progressing rapidly. He added that farmers are not facing shortages of fertiliser, pesticides or seedlings.