Rising Costs Squeeze Narail Farmers

Farmers in Narail’s Sadar upazila have reported mounting financial pressure as the ongoing Boro paddy harvest coincides with rising production costs, low market prices, and delays in government procurement.

“How can we cultivate crops? Life has become extremely difficult for us,” said farmer Prolad Biswas of Koigram village in Korialgram area of the upazila. He noted that harvesting has begun, but the cost of labour, fuel, fertiliser, and irrigation has significantly increased. “If we have to earn fuel money only by selling labour, then farmers cannot survive. If we do not receive fertiliser and soil inputs on time, cultivation becomes impossible,” he added.

According to him, paddy is currently being sold at 1,000 to 1,900 taka per maund, while daily labour wages stand at 1,200 to 1,300 taka. “After working all day, we barely manage to eat two meals and rest for a while. Even at night, when sleep comes, electricity goes off. Our survival has become very difficult,” he said.

Another farmer, Sachindranath Biswas of the same village, cultivated Boro paddy on four bighas of land. He explained that harvesting requires at least eight labourers, each costing 1,200 taka per day along with three meals. He said additional work includes field preparation, irrigation, and repeated ploughing using diesel-powered machinery, but diesel shortages have created further complications.

“Diesel is not easily available. We have to queue to buy it, sometimes even facing conflicts. Transporting fuel from the town costs an additional 30 to 40 taka per trip,” he said. He also noted frequent power outages at night, increasing overall hardship.

Local farmers reported that production costs have risen sharply compared to the previous year. Last year, cultivation cost per bigha was approximately 12,500 taka, while this year it has increased to 18,000 taka. Diesel prices have risen by 15 taka per litre, and labour costs have increased by around 300 taka per day. At the same time, no active government procurement of paddy has begun this season, preventing farmers from selling at official rates.

Cost Comparison Table

Reports also indicate that government-supported combine harvesters are not available in the fields this year, increasing reliance on manual labour. Farmers say that although subsidised harvesters were previously introduced, operational issues and limited access have reduced their use.

The Department of Agricultural Extension in Narail stated that 5,297 hectares of land have been cultivated under Boro rice this season, with a production target of 345,623 metric tonnes. Officials added that around 8 per cent of harvesting has been completed so far and that field-level support and favourable weather conditions have contributed to satisfactory yields.

However, farmers continue to express concern over delayed government procurement. A local farmer, Dipok Ray, said that without early procurement, farmers are forced to sell at lower market prices due to debt pressure.

A food inspector at the Narail Sadar food warehouse confirmed that paddy procurement has not yet started and no official directive has been received regarding its commencement.