Farmers had been waiting for rain during the crucial period of flowering and grain formation of Aman paddy.
When production costs were rising due to several days of drought and dependence on irrigation, and concerns about yield were growing, the rain finally ended that wait.
This season, the weather office recorded the highest rainfall of 99.4 millimeters in Rajshahi.
After a long dry spell, this rain has restored the necessary moisture to the Aman fields and reduced the need for irrigation.
As a result, farmers are expecting not only a good yield of paddy but also savings of up to about one thousand taka per bigha in irrigation costs.
With nature’s help and the farmers’ tireless care, now vast fields across Rajshahi are lush with green Aman. Overcoming the worry of drought for now, farmers are looking forward to the mature golden paddy.
On the ground, visiting various crop fields in Paba Upazila on Thursday, it was seen that the appearance of the Aman fields has changed after the recent rain. As sufficient moisture has been created in the land, the need for irrigation has decreased.
Farmer Nazir Uddin of Uzirpukur area in Paba Upazila has cultivated Aman on five and a half bighas of land.
He said the rain has not caused any damage to the paddy fields, rather it has been very beneficial. Getting rainwater instead of artificial water, the paddy plants are becoming very fresh and beautiful.
“Last year I got 22 maunds of paddy per bigha. This time too I am hoping for a good yield.”
According to farmers’ calculations, irrigation from BMDA deep tube wells costs about Taka 250 per bigha.
Due to the recent rain, the need for two to three rounds of irrigation has been reduced, creating an opportunity to save up to about one thousand taka per bigha.
Besides washing and cleaning the paddy leaves, rainwater also somewhat reduces the risk of heat-related diseases and pests, farmers said.
Astan Ali, a farmer from Kharkhari area of Paba Upazila said rainwater is a great blessing for Aman paddy. Costs are reduced in both irrigation and pesticides. “Last year I got 20 maunds of paddy per bigha. This time too I am hoping for a good yield.”
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), 82,452 hectares of land have been brought under Aman paddy cultivation in Rajshahi district this season.
The target is to produce 3,14,336 metric tons of paddy from these lands.
Since the beginning of the season, farmers have been busy preparing seedbeds, transplanting seedlings, applying fertilizer and taking care of the crop.
However, their worries were increasing due to dry weather for several days and dependence on irrigation.
The weather office said that the highest rainfall of this season, 99.4 millimeters, was recorded in the rain that started from early Wednesday. After a long dry spell, this rain has restored the necessary moisture to the land.
Agricultural officials said that such rain during the flowering and grain formation stage of paddy is positive for yield.
Mostafa Kamal Hossain, deputy director of the DAE, said 82,452 hectares of land have been cultivated with Aman paddy in the district this season.
He said that if it rains at this time, there is an opportunity for better growth and yield of Aman paddy.
Getting enough water during flowering and grain formation is very important.
This time, the increased use of modern varieties and technology has also raised expectations of good yields among farmers.
He expressed hope that if the weather remains favorable, it will be possible to achieve the targeted production.
