Keep the hands that feed us strong

As queues behind TCB trucks get longer and edible oil slips past people’s purchase capacity during this crucial Covid-19 recovery period, there have been warnings that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could send the global food prices skyrocketing, hitting the poorest nations the hardest. This could potentially put food security at risk in many countries and worsen the hunger scenario as the number of people facing potential starvation worldwide had already risen from 80 million to 276 million in four years. Amid these disturbing developments and uncertain months ahead, a report that our Boro paddy cultivation would exceed this season’s target is one of the most welcome developments. Boro rice is expected to hit the market in late April and bring welcome relief to the exasperated people struggling to cope with the rising commodity prices. 

A report ran by this daily yesterday said Boro paddy cultivation in the country reached 98 per cent of its target as of February while farmers showed increasing interest in cultivating the hybrid variety in the current season. A Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) report published on February 27 noted that 97 per cent of Boro cultivation target had been met. The data was confirmed by the DAE control room as well. Farmers in districts including Sirajganj, Munshiganj, Bogura and Shariatpur are still planting rice seedlings. DAE fixed the target of cultivating Boro on 48,72,600 hectares in 2021-22 fiscal year. Until February 27, farmers had brought 47,07,572 hectares (96.61 per cent of the target) under Boro cultivation, the DAE report said. The last time for boro plantation is March 10-15. The authorities aimed to cultivate high-yielding variety on 36,15,800 hectares while so far cultivation has been completed on 33,98,595 hectares, marking 93.99 per cent progress. Besides, local rice varieties were cultivated on 20,683 hectares against the target of 20,100 hectares, displaying 102.9 per cent progress. Moreover, the target of planting hybrid rice was on 12,36,700 hectares while cultivation was completed on 12,88,294 hectares, marking 104.17 per cent progress.

This year, farmers showed greater interest in cultivating hybrid varieties and achieved a seedbed preparation target of 137.6 per cent, according to the DAE report. Besides, local and Ufshi variety seedbed preparation targets reached 134.12 per cent and 112.18 per cent, respectively. The overall scenario showed that despite having a target of preparing Boro seedbed on 2,31,601 hectares, so far seedbed was prepared on 2,72,051 hectares which is 117.73 per cent of the target. Field Services Wing (FSW) director of DAE, Md Sirajul Islam, said farmers in low-lying areas preferred hybrid varieties to collect paddy before floods. Besides, the amount of land crossed the target this year as farmers cultivated rice even in non-arable land due to the increasing price of rice. “There was a time when farmers didn’t want to cut crops from the land as it was costlier and rice price was significantly low. But now rice prices have soared, making it more profitable. So, farmers use land that was not used for rice cultivation earlier. Hopefully, Boro cultivation will go beyond the target this year,” he said. The government has provided a small incentive in hybrid production. He said most of the private companies supply imported hybrid seeds. The government fixed a target of producing 2,09,51,302 tonnes of Boro in FY 2021-22. The hybrid production target was 60,87,901 metric tonnes and Ufshi 1,48,26,100MT. In February, the government decided that the rice and paddy procurement would begin on April 28 and continue till August 31 this year. The procurement price of Boro paddy was fixed at Tk 27 per kg, boiled rice at Tk 40 per kg and Atap rice (non-boiled) at Tk 39.

Our farmers need more attention and greater support to keep up high yield and ensure food security at a time when the world is staring at a potential food shortage. Svein Tore Holsether, the chief of Yara International, one of the world's biggest fertiliser companies, warned that the Ukraine war would deliver a shock to the global supply and cost of food. Fertiliser prices are already high due to soaring wholesale gas prices – and the situation could worsen. Against this backdrop, we urge the government to stand by the farmers and extend support to ensure that the hands that feed us remain strong.