Early rain and waterlogging have damaged low-lying boro fields in Netrokona's haors, and fuel and labour shortages are adding to farmers' costs as the harvest begins.
Low costs, a short season and good returns are drawing a growing number of Bagerhat farmers to sunflower, with about 3,800 growing it on 610 hectares this year.
Ridge gourd, potato and poppy seed paste make a light, homely dish for hot days.
A Kalia farmer who learned about black rice on YouTube has harvested a good crop from 10 decimals, sparking interest among neighbours.
CropsAt sunrise on Pohela Boishakh, 14 April 2026, more than a lakh farmers went into at least 25 haors of Sunamganj to cut boro paddy. The district agriculture department put that season's boro area at 223,500 hectares.
The upazila administration in Pirojpur's Zianagar served panta bhat with coral and pangas fish rather than hilsa at its Bangla New Year event.
On the Bangla New Year, farmers and agri-entrepreneurs set out their hopes for fair prices, fair distribution of subsidies and accountability in the farm sector.
Sky-high prices have put hilsa, the traditional Pohela Boishakh fish, out of reach of many shoppers in Dhaka's markets.
FruitsOn Pohela Boishakh 2026 Jagonews24 published three quick mango desserts to make at home: green mango pudding, mango sandesh and mango doi. The ingredients and steps are set out here as lists.
Broiler and Sonali chicken prices have fallen in Dhaka's markets, but hilsa, the Pohela Boishakh favourite, remains as expensive as before.
CropsThe Bengali calendar behind Pohela Boishakh grew out of a Mughal-era 'crop year' meant to time land taxes to the harvest, Banglapedia records. Halkhata, Baishakhi fairs and the Dhaka celebrations still carry the mark of that farming life.
A mobile court in Chandpur Sadar jailed five fishermen for catching jatka in a Meghna river sanctuary in breach of the ban.
A department's decision to serve sarpunti instead of hilsa at its Pohela Boishakh celebration prompts a reflection on hilsa prices, inequality and food culture.
