RAJSHAHI, May 11, (V7N) – Farmers in Tanore upazila of Rajshahi are facing severe losses in the current Boro season as the price of paddy has dropped so low that selling a single maund cannot cover a worker’s daily wage.

Currently, paddy is selling at Tk 830–850 per maund, while laborers are charging Tk 600 for half a day and Tk 1,200 for a full day’s work. Farmers say that due to the absence of outside workers, local laborers have become more expensive, and harvesting costs have risen sharply. As a result, cultivators are losing Tk 4,000–5,000 per bigha despite yields of 25–30 maunds.

Farmers like Tofa and Farak explained that semi-ripe paddy lying on the ground required more workers, increasing costs further. Transport and threshing expenses have also added to the burden. One farmer, Shakir, reported that on leased land, the production cost per bigha was Tk 31,000, while the combined value of paddy and straw fetched only Tk 26,800, leaving a deficit of Tk 4,000–5,000.

Growers have demanded that the government purchase paddy directly from local markets or through traders to ensure fair prices. They argue that while the official procurement rate is Tk 36 per kg, supplying paddy to government warehouses is difficult due to strict requirements and alleged harassment. Farmers believe direct buying would help protect them from financial collapse.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Saifullah Ahmed said early Boro cultivation has been done on about 3,500 hectares in Bilkumari Beel, with 550 hectares already harvested—around 15–18 percent of the total. He added that if weather conditions remain favorable, the entire beel’s paddy will be harvested within a week.

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