The ongoing Aman paddy planting season across the nation has sparked a surge in paddy sapling sales at the Banibaha market in Rajbari’s Sadar upazila, thanks to recent bouts of rain.

Once farmers of Pirojpur used to cultivate more than 50 varieties of paddy during Aman season. But currently, only five to six varieties exist as the rests appeared to have vanished, according to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).

Aman paddy harvesting season has begun, but the general mass is struggling to buy rice as the price of the staple food is still high in the local market.

Thousands of farmers who lost their paddy this Boro season due to excessive waterlogging amid untimely rain and a labour crisis in the country’s northern region, including eastern Sylhet and Chalan Beel, are worried about the upcoming Aman season as many of them have lost their capital.