Floods Reduce Aman Rice Yield by 4.1%

Maize cultivation in Bangladesh has surged, reaching a record 6.72 lakh hectares in FY 2024-25, up from 6.42 lakh hectares in FY 2023-24. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) set a production target of 69.78 lakh tonnes for FY 2024-25, while the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated output to reach 52 lakh tonnes.

The government's Aman paddy procurement has reached only 8.75% of its 3.5 lakh-tonne target, despite a Tk3 per kg price hike, as farmers prefer selling in the open market due to better prices and fewer hassles. So far, 26,277 tonnes of paddy, 430,206 tonnes of rice, and 77,000 tonnes of Atap rice have been collected, with Atap rice procurement continuing until 15 March.

Despite higher profitability from high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and flowers, 55% of Bangladeshi farmers cultivate only rice due to lower market risks and food security concerns. According to an IFPRI study, crops with low output value per unit, such as rice, offer limited income growth compared to high-value alternatives.

Wheat cultivation in Bangladesh fell to a record low in FY2024-25, with acreage declining 8% year-on-year to 2.87 lakh hectares, down from 3.11 lakh hectares in FY24. This marks a continued decline since FY16 when wheat covered 4.44 lakh hectares.

Potato cultivation in Bangladesh surged 15% year-on-year to 5.24 lakh hectares in FY2024-25 due to record-high prices last season. However, an oversupply has driven prices below production costs, with farmers selling at Tk 11-13 per kg, despite costs rising to Tk 15-17 per kg.

Bangladesh’s tea production declined to 9.30 crore kg in 2024 from 10.2 crore kg in 2023 due to erratic rainfall and a focus on quality improvement, according to the Bangladesh Tea Board (BTB). Additionally, the 10-week closure of 12 state-owned tea gardens contributed to the drop.