Boro cultivation rises on bigger prices
Rice cultivation offers increased during the current Boro period as farmers have been encouraged by higher charges for the kitchen staple.
Total acreage of the irrigation established crop rose 3 per cent year-on-year to 48.83 lakh hectares from 47.62 lakh hectares the prior yr, according to estimates by the Section of Agricultural Extension (DAE).
"Because of the increased cost of rice, farmers possess allocated a larger part of terrain, where they grew maize and wheat previously, for Boro rice cultivation," said DAE Director Standard Md Asadullah.
The principle of the division said the most recent estimate of acreage is final.
"Crop conditions look good. We expect an excellent crop unless there is no organic calamity before harvesting," he added.
Harvested primarily in the April-May period, Boro rice accounted designed for 54 % of total development of 3.65 crore tonnes of rice in fiscal 2019-20, data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Figures showed.
Through the current fiscal time beginning from July, agricultural production suffered due to repeated floods that fueled price tag hikes meant for the staple grains amid issues and speculation among farmers, millers and trades of lowered yields of Aman, which will provided 39 % of the full total rice result in fiscal 2019-20.
THE MEALS and Agriculture Firm (FAO) previous month said output from two rice crops -- Boro and Aus -- had been good due to generally favourable climate in 2020.
However, development of Aman crop, harvested by simply the end of this past year, was approximated to be at its lowest level in 3 years because of flash floods between July and August, it added.
The UN agency said favourable climate because the beginning of November 2020, strong domestic prices, ample supplies of irrigation water, above-average June to October monsoon rains and support for planting activities benefitted crop germination.
It as well said the federal government encouraged hybrid rice cultivation through some methods, including financial support and provision of hybrid seeds to improve productivity this season.
Asadullah said the incentive brought about benefits. Farmers planted hybrid rice on 12 lakh hectares this year, up 33 per cent from 9 lakh hectares the previous year, said the DAE Chief.
Farmers are also embracing some new types of rice.
"Farmers respond positively and increase cultivation when rates remain high as they expect profitable rates," explained Jahangir Alam, an agricultural economist.
"There could be a dispute about the actual acreage nonetheless it holds true that farmers possess cultivated the grains on an increased area of land after Aman rice production dropped for floods," he added.
On March 10, the FAO said the cost of rice had been stable in February and were well above their earlier-year levels.
The UN agency said in Dhaka markets, rice prices held steady in February and were 40 per cent greater than that of a year earlier.
Prices saw a continuous increase in the previous 11 a few months, reflecting tight market supply following stagnant creation for 3 consecutive years, small imports and strong demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Now the dilemma is whether farmers will get fair charges for their manufacture," he explained citing the arrival of rice imported by the meals ministry and private dealers.
Until March 15, the quantity of rice imported was 5 lakh tonnes, info from the food ministry showed.
Alam said the federal government has plans to permit imports of 10-15 lakh tonnes of rice, which may affect farmers found in the coming harvest.
"It is the concern," he said. "The government should make certain that growers are receiving profitable prices."
He added that the government should buy 10 per cent of the paddy grown by farmers for 20 % higher prices than the price tag on production.
"The federal government can hire individual sector entities to retail outlet the grains since it does not have enough capacity. Additionally, it may apply godowns of the Bangladesh Agricultural Expansion Corporation to retail store grains," he said.
