Low paddy prices leave Naogaon farmers reeling despite bumper yield

In Naogaon, one of Bangladesh's leading rice-producing districts, a season of abundance has turned into one of distress as farmers struggle with falling paddy prices.

Despite a bumper Boro harvest this season, farmers said they are incurring significant losses, with market prices dropping well below last year's levels.

The situation has left many farmers frustrated as higher yields have not translated into better earnings.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), 192,500 hectares were brought under Boro cultivation across 11 upazilas in Naogaon this season.

The production target has been set at 1.32 million tonnes of paddy, which would yield approximately 0.88 million tonnes of rice.

Harvesting has already begun, but only about 25–30% of the crop has been cut so far.

However, current market prices remain discouraging.

Farmers say paddy is now selling at Tk1,000 to Tk1,100 per maund—significantly lower than last year's peak price of at least Tk1,400.

"We are selling at a loss," said Abul Kalam Azad, a marginal farmer from Bijoykandi village in Raninagar upazila. "After spending nearly Tk30,000 per bigha, we are getting back only Tk25,000 to Tk26,000. That means a loss of Tk5,000 to Tk6,000 per bigha."

Like many others, Azad cultivated paddy on leased land, paying around Tk14,000 per bigha annually.

Total production costs—including land preparation, seedbed, transplantation, irrigation, fertilisers, pesticides, harvesting and threshing—have risen sharply this season.

Bipath Chandra Pramanik, another farmer from the same area, said a lack of sunshine has made it difficult to dry freshly harvested paddy, forcing farmers to sell their produce prematurely at lower prices.

"We took loans for cultivation. Now creditors are pressuring us, and we have no option but to sell immediately," he said. "If we could dry the paddy and wait a few days, we might get a better price."

Farmers say a price of Tk1,300 to Tk1,400 per maund would at least allow them to break even.

Not all farmers, however, are rushing to sell.

Shamsur Rahman, a relatively well-off farmer from Khatteshwar village, said he has stored his harvest in hopes of better prices. He cultivated Jirashail paddy on 20 bighas of his own land.

"I will sell after the rainy spell ends and the paddy dries properly," he said, expressing hope that prices will rise in the coming weeks.

A visit to major paddy markets, including Abadpukur Hat, Lohachura Hat and Ahsanganj Hat, revealed an oversupply of freshly harvested, wet paddy, which is contributing to the price slump.

"Most of the paddy arriving in the markets is still wet, and buyers are limited," said trader Enamul Haque. "Yesterday, depending on quality, paddy was sold between Tk1,000 and Tk1,100 per maund."

Traders said unsold stock from the previous season remains in storage, making buyers less interested in purchasing new supplies.

Farhad Hossain Chakdar, general secretary of Naogaon District Rice Mill Owners Group, attributed the market downturn partly to excessive imports in previous periods.

"Large traders are already facing liquidity constraints due to unsold stocks," he said. "Without their active participation, a recovery in paddy prices is unlikely."

He urged the government to speed up procurement and clear public food warehouses to stabilise the market. "If the government buys paddy at Tk36 per kg, farmers will benefit, and the situation may improve," he added.

Agriculture officials, however, remain cautiously optimistic.

Homaira Mondal, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension(DAE) in Naogaon, said the harvesting season has just begun and prices are expected to improve.

"Farmers are currently selling wet paddy, which affects prices," she said. "As the peak harvesting period begins and dry paddy enters the market, prices are likely to rise."

She added that government procurement, once started, would further support farmers.

Local stakeholders say the seasonal price drop has become a recurring problem.

"Every year during the harvest season, farmers face a price crash," said a local rice trader. "Unless fair prices are ensured and agricultural incentives are increased, marginal farmers will continue to suffer."