Kushtia District Correspondent: In various upazilas (sub-districts) of Kushtia, the hustle and bustle of harvesting Aman rice is in full swing this season. Due to the bumper harvest, the homes of farmers are filled with joy and the festive atmosphere of the harvest. In the month of Agrahayan, golden rice fields stretch across the landscape, and the sweet fragrance of ripening rice fills the air, making the villages come alive with excitement. The sight of ripe paddy and the sweet aroma of rice in the air have brought a sense of happiness to the farmers’ families.

From the time of Aman rice planting until Agrahayan, agricultural workers traditionally had little work, and many would leave the district in search of work. But times have changed. Now, workers don’t need to leave for other districts in search of employment as much. The cultivation of early-season rice varieties, along with the cultivation of seasonal vegetables, has ensured that agricultural labor is in demand year-round.

Farmers, who once had idle time, are now unable to take a break. They are busy not only with the rice harvest but also preparing new dishes with fresh rice for their families and relatives. Most importantly, even amidst the hard work, they celebrate the Nabanna (new harvest) festival, marking the joyous occasion of harvesting the new crop. Farmers say that this year’s field expenses have been higher than usual, especially due to pest attacks, disease control, and the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides. While the harvest is bumper, if the market price of rice remains low, the extra costs may hinder their recovery.

According to data from the Kushtia Agricultural Extension Directorate, a total of 88,920 hectares of land in six upazilas of Kushtia have been used for rice cultivation during the Kharif-2 season. The expected production from these fields is 484,489 metric tons of rice, surpassing the initial target of 483,348 metric tons. The fields of Kushtia Sadar, Kumarkhali, Mirpur, Vheramara, Khoksa, and Daulatpur saw normal crop yields, with no significant losses due to natural disasters or pests.

In Kushtia Sadar, 20,195 hectares yielded 109,960 metric tons of rice; Kumarkhali produced 81,205 metric tons from 14,965 hectares; Khoksa had 36,597 metric tons from 6,740 hectares; Mirpur’s fields produced 112,656 metric tons from 20,633 hectares; Vheramara’s 6,507 hectares yielded 35,527 metric tons, and Daulatpur’s 19,880 hectares brought in 108,544 metric tons of rice. In total, the estimated amount of rice is 323,030 metric tons. The crop’s performance has been stable throughout the district, and no major losses have been reported.

Farmers reported that their costs have risen significantly this year, especially due to the increased use of fertilizers and pesticides to fight pests and disease. For example, Amjad, a farmer from Ailchara Union in Kushtia Sadar, mentioned that he spent nearly 17,000 Taka on one bigha of Aman rice. Momin, another farmer from Chithlia, expressed his hopes for a good market price, saying, “The rice is good this year, and if the price is favorable, I hope to save something.”

Although the excitement of the Nabanna festival has been somewhat subdued by the early winter cold, farmers are still joyfully preparing new rice dishes, making sweets like pitha and puli, and selling them in the local markets. On the roadsides, seasonal vendors are selling steamed and chitai pitha, taking advantage of the early winter sun and misty mornings.

Agricultural officials have expressed satisfaction with the harvest. They have also warned, however, that if the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides continues at such high levels, costs will rise further and the environment will suffer. Therefore, they are encouraging farmers to increase the use of organic fertilizers and pesticides.

Dr. Shoukat Hossain Bhuiyan, Deputy Director of Kushtia District Agricultural Extension Directorate, commented, “This year, Kushtia has had a bumper harvest of Aman rice, bringing joy to farmers. Efforts are being made to ensure that farmers can easily communicate with agricultural officers. Furthermore, if farmers are given a fair price for their crops, they will be able to avoid losses and benefit from their hard work.”

Similarly, in neighboring districts like Chuadanga, Meherpur, and Jhenaidah, the targeted rice production levels have also been met this year.