Poor rainfall hampers Aman cultivation in Ctg

Due to minimal rainfall, cultivation of Aman paddy in Chattogram has witnessed a setback.

Farmers are worried about preparing their Aman seedbeds and planting saplings.

They said despite this being the season for cultivating Aman, they were facing difficulties due to shortage of rainwater.

Mohammad Salim, a farmer of Fatikchhari upazila, told The Daily Star, "Every year from July to August, we finish planting Aman paddy. But this year, our seedbeds are not ready yet."

Biswajit Chowdhury, assistant meteorologist of Chattogram's meteorological office, confirmed that rainfall is lower than that of the past few years.

Meanwhile, some farmers have started cultivating Aman paddy using irrigation and shallow machines.

Jashim Uddin, a farmer from Anwara upazila, said, "I was waiting for rainfall to cultivate Aman paddy on my two acres of land. But now, I'm cultivating by purchasing water from the electric pump owner."

Many farmers were forced to irrigate their fields at an additional cost of Tk 2,000 per bigha. But many could not do this due to the high cost of irrigation, and now they are eagerly waiting for heavy rainfall.

Mohammad Wasim, a farmer in Banshkhali upazila, said the pump owners have also increased the price of water due to the rise in oil prices.

"It's not possible for a poor farmer like me to buy water and cultivate at such a price. So, I'm waiting for rain. If it doesn't rain, I won't do Aman farming this year," he added.

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said about 1,83,000 hectares of land have been brought under Aman cultivation this season in all upazilas of Chattogram.

Mohammed Akter, deputy director of DAE of Chattogram, said, "This year, the weather is not favourable for Aman cultivation, as there was not enough rainfall in the region." He said Aman production could be hampered if the drought-like weather remains.