Golden-green Aman paddy kindles hope for Patuakhali farmers

Vast stretches of golden-green Aman paddy fields are swaying in the coastal breeze across Patuakhali, painting a picture of abundance and hope.

Farmers in the district are eagerly awaiting what they hope will be one of the most bountiful harvests in recent years -- thanks to favourable weather, timely rainfall, and proper crop management.

In all eight upazilas, the landscape is wrapped in lush green, with some fields already turning golden. The ripening paddy heads, heavy with grain, bend gently in the wind -- signs that a bumper Aman yield is on the horizon.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Patuakhali, 189,838 hectares of land have been brought under Aman cultivation this season. Of the total, 24,485 hectares are in Sadar upazila, 34,710 in Bauphal, around 36,000 in Galachipa, 30,000 in Kalapara, 18,000 in Dashmina, 10,000 in Mirzaganj, 6,500 in Dumki, and around 29,000 hectares in Rangabali upazila.

“If there are no natural disasters or outbreaks of pest attacks, farmers are likely to enjoy a bumper harvest,” said Dr Md Aminul Islam, deputy director of the DAE in Patuakhali.

The season, however, did not begin smoothly. Farmers faced erratic weather -- droughts followed by prolonged rains -- which damaged seedbeds and delayed transplanting. Yet, their perseverance is now paying off.

Visits to different areas in the district revealed fields covered in dense, healthy green. Some varieties are ready for harvesting in just a few days. Farmers were seen spraying fertilisers and pesticides for the final time, their faces beaming with relief and optimism.

Abdul Khalek, a farmer from Bolipara village in Kalapara upazila who cultivated 12 bighas of land, said, “The crops look much better than I expected. I’m hoping for a good yield if the weather stays kind.”

From Mithaganj, farmer Abul Bashar echoed similar optimism. “I’ve cultivated 26 bighas this year. There’s a slight sign of pest infestation, but it’s under control. The plants are strong and healthy,” he said.

Abdus Sobahan of Chhoto Baliatali village, who cultivated 48 bighas, believes the yield could reach 50 maunds per acre. “If there’s no untimely storm or salinity intrusion, we’ll have an excellent harvest,” he said.

However, elderly farmer Sultan Gazi of Kumirmara village expressed concern about rising salinity in the coming weeks. “If temporary embankments are not repaired near the sluice gates, saline water may flood the fields,” he warned.

Md Sahin Howlader, a farmer from Sharikkhali village in Sadar upazila, said, “I have cultivated Aman paddy on my three acres of land, and I expect a bumper yield this year due to favourable weather and timely rainfall.”

For now, the farmers’ prayers are simple -- that nature stays calm. Standing in the middle of their ripening paddy fields, they dream of golden grains filling their homes, marking another year of resilience and reward for the coastal farmers of Patuakhali.