Jhalakathi's food department collected only 15 tonnes of paddy against a 1,689-tonne target because market prices were higher than the government rate, but it met its rice procurement target in full.
The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute has told farmers how to control rice pests that may multiply as nor'wester storms and rain raise temperature and humidity.
A project to rehabilitate the Meghna-Dhonagoda irrigation scheme in Chandpur's Matlab (North) will bring 6,700 hectares under irrigation and add 11,471 tonnes of rice a year.
Using the latest technology, BRRI's Transforming Rice Breeding project is cutting the time to develop a rice variety from 10 to 15 years to 8 to 10 years.
Farmers have prepared more Boro seedbeds than targeted and the government is spending about Tk 170 crore on incentives, raising hopes of a record Boro crop.
Mymensingh farmers are planting Boro amid biting cold and higher costs, while labourers say wage rises have not kept pace with prices.
With the Bengali month of Magh under way, the Agriculture Information Service has advised farmers on Boro, wheat, maize, potato, cotton, fruit trees and other crops.
Farmers in Jhalakathi say they have not seen an aman harvest this good in 10 years, and prices in the market are satisfying too.
Following a few rules in the Poush cold can help farmers raise healthy, strong seedlings in their seedbeds.
Farmers in Ishwardi, Pabna, have had a good Aman crop but say low paddy prices and higher costs leave them with no profit.
Farmers in Bagatipara, Natore, have switched from Swarna to BRRI dhan87, a blast-resistant Aman variety that matures in 127 days and leaves time for mustard.
The government will buy Aman paddy through the "Krishoker App" in 272 selected upazilas as a pilot this season, the Directorate of Food has told field officials.
The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute's new high-yielding Aman variety BRRI dhan103, which suffers less from pests and disease, is awaiting National Seed Board approval.
