Al-Amin, Nilphamari
Nearly four lakhs farmers of Nilphamari district have been fallen in great danger for getting less rate of paddy this year. 84,000 Hectares of land were brought under Boro cultivation.
The harvesting time has been finished but the market price of Boro paddy is Tk 400 to 500 per maund. But the production cost of per Biga land is about Tk 14,800. Farmers abled to grow 800 kg to 1,000 kg per Biga which market price is about Tk 8,000 to Tk 10,000 only. If the market price of paddy goes on next 2 weeks, the losing figure will touch Tk 285 cr.
While contacted with Atiar Rahman, a farmer of Central Harowa, he said, “I have got bumper production in Boro paddy this year. But it is a matter of great sorrow that I am counting loss. If this condition goes on, I had better leave paddy cultivation. To cover the loss, I have to sell my land.”
Abul Kashem Azad, Deputy Director of the Department Agricultural Extension, said, “The soil of Nilphamari is fertile and the weather is favourable. If the paddy was collected directly from the farmers during the yielding season, they will be benefited.” Food Collector Kazi Saifuddin said, 17,759 metric tons of rice and 6 to 16 metric tons of Atop rice will be procured from the millers. The rate of paddy and rice have been fixed at Tk. 26 and Tk. 36.