The Boro harvesting season in Jhenaigati Upazila, under the Sherpur district, has been marked by a significant disconnect between agricultural productivity and financial viability. Although the region has seen a bumper crop, the local farming community is grappling with a severe economic crisis as the cost of harvesting exceeds the market value of the produce.
The Labour-to-Price Imbalance
The prevailing market conditions have created a scenario where the sale of one maund of paddy is insufficient to cover the daily wage of a single agricultural labourer. Current data indicates that while a labourer commands a daily wage of 1,000 to 1,100 BDT, the market price for a maund of paddy fluctuates between 750 and 900 BDT. This disparity is largely driven by a surge in demand for labour as the majority of crops have ripened simultaneously.
Environmental and Financial Pressures
Farmers are facing mounting pressure from unstable weather patterns. Recent irregular rainfall and storms have threatened to submerge crops in low-lying regions. In villages such as Kalinagar, farmers have reported that submerged fields make harvesting significantly more difficult and expensive.
Beyond labour, the total overhead for cultivation—including irrigation, tilling, fertilisers, and pesticides—has risen sharply. Many farmers, such as Magbul Mia of Mazhlikanda village, have expressed concern regarding their ability to repay agricultural loans and seasonal debts given the current price floor.
Official Agricultural Overview
According to Mr. Md. Farhad Hossain, the Jhenaigati Upazila Agriculture Officer, the cultivation targets for this season were met with high-yield and indigenous varieties.
| Category | Statistical Data |
| Total Cultivated Land | 14,600 Hectares |
| Paddy Variety | High-yield & Local (Boro) |
| Labour Wage (Per Day) | 1,000 – 1,100 BDT |
| Market Price (Per Maund) | 750 – 900 BDT |
| Official Procurement Rate | 1,440 BDT |
The agricultural office has issued a directive for farmers to commence harvesting once the grain reaches 80% maturity to prevent losses from potential hailstorms or early flooding. While the government has set a procurement rate of 1,440 BDT per maund, farmers assert that the immediate commencement of this state-led buying is essential to stabilise the market and prevent a total loss of investment. Without such intervention, there is a growing concern that the lack of fair pricing will discourage future agricultural engagement in the district.