Rafiqul Islam, who lives in the Dashmile area of Dinajpur sadar upazila, has innovated various types of agricultural machinery that provide a cheap and easy way for famers to achieve higher production.

The cabinet committee on government purchase (CCGP) yesterday gave the nod to buy 115,000 tonnes of fertiliser from two Middle Eastern countries to increase fertiliser stock for producing crops in the coming seasons.

Bangladesh’s rice production may decline in marketing year (MY) 2022-23, which began in May, as severe floods damaged pre-monsoon crop Aus in the north and northeastern regions during planting, said a USDA report released on Monday. 

Paddy farmers in the northern districts have struggled to turn a profit for the past five years, as production costs have risen significantly but rice prices have not increased proportionally.