The prices of paddy have fallen sharply in absence of buyers in the local markets, much to the frustration of the growers in the district.

Now they are worried about recovery of their production cost, let alone profit.

Sources in the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) of Jhenidah said the target was for planting aman on 97,288 hectares of land in six upazilas, but the achievement was 9,6901. The target for production was 2,64,981 tonnes of paddy but 3,29,119 tonnes were produced this season, sources added.

Of the cultivated land, 21,725 hectares are in Sadar, 24,801 in Shailakupa, 9,405 in Harinakundo, 17,780 in Moheshpur, 5,860 in Kotchandpur and 17,330 in Kaliganj upazilas.

Farmers told this correspondent that they were not interested to cultivate paddy in the next season because the price has disappointed them. They said that cultivation costs Tk 8,000 per bigha (33 decimals). It needs fertiliser, insecticide, weeding, harvesting, and labour cost. They get 15/16 maunds of paddy per bigha. Now they are selling paddy at Tk 500-Tk 550 per maund, which has made them lose heart in paddy cultivation.

Most of the farmers buy fertiliser and insecticide on credit. After harvesting, they sell paddy in the market and pay the due amount, the farmers added.

Sonai Mondol of Enayetpur village under Kaliganj upazila, said he cultivated four bighas of land at a cost of Tk 32,000. He got 58 maunds of paddy that he sold at Tk 540 per maund, which comes to Tk 31,320. He does not know how he will repay the loan and maintain his family.

Farmer Alok Kumar of Beleghat village under Shailakupa upazila, said he cultivated boro on two bighas of land taking Tk 16,300 loan from an NGO. He got 31 maunds, which he sold for Tk 17,050. He was not able to get profit on his investment. "I have decided to cultivate vegetables and tobacco next year," Alok said.

Paddy trader Shaheen Mia of Kaliganj upazila town said the government should fix the rate. Due to lack of fixed rate the traders are purchasing paddy at their own rate.

Shah Akramul Haque, deputy director of Jhenidah DAE, said "We were able to achieve huge production of aman this year, but the price of paddy has come down. I do not know the reason for this."