Photo : BSS

KHULNA, April 23, 2025 (BSS) - Farmers of the region have began harvesting Boro paddy this season in full swing fearing natural calamities, including cyclonic storms, could devastate their crops. 

About 37 percent of the Boro paddy sown in the region, comprising Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, and Narail districts, this season has already been harvested, officials said. 

According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Khulna region, a total of 2.62 lakh hectares of land was brought under the Boro cultivation with a production target of 10.88 lakh tones, while the office, earlier, had set a target to cultivate this variety of paddy on 2.58 lakh hectares of land. 

Farmers have already harvested 4.46 lakh tonnes of Boro paddy, about 37 percent, till April 21, according to the DAE office. 

DAE Additional Director Md Rafiqul Islam said, "favorable weather and timely rainfall during the growing season boosted farmers' hopes of achieving higher yield.

During a visit to paddy fields in the Batiaghata and Dakope areas, farmers were seen passing busy times in harvesting and storing the paddy from dawn to dusk.

Mohidul Sheikh, a farmer of Dacope Upazila under Khulna District, harvested 22 maunds of Boro paddy from each bigha of land, while last year's yield was 19 maunds. He cultivated Boro paddy on 12 bighas of land this season. 

Rahman Mia, a farmer from the Kapilmuni area of Paikgachha upazila, said farmers are even involving their school-going children to speed up the harvest, aiming to complete it before the arrival of nor'westers and hailstorms.