Sunamganj Boro farming begins amid embankment concerns

Farmers in Sunamganj are preparing for the upcoming Boro season as water recedes from the haors, but delays in agricultural incentives and concerns over irregularities in crop protection embankment construction have left them worried.

Farmers in the district’s 12 upazilas are preparing seedbeds for Boro, the main crop of the haor region, using seeds purchased from local markets as government-supplied seeds and fertilisers have yet to reach them in time.

Sunamganj produces the country’s largest volume of single-crop Boro rice. For haor farmers, Boro cultivation is the primary source of income to cover family expenses, including food, clothing, healthcare and children’s education. However, premature flash floods from upstream areas in India frequently threaten standing crops, making timely construction of protective embankments crucial.

Farmers and haor activists have alleged irregularities and misuse of funds allocated for embankment construction, often put crops at risk despite increased allocations. They have also expressed concern that earth excavation for embankments damages roads, farmland and natural habitats, affecting the haor ecosystem and biodiversity.

The concerns have sparked protests and human chains in the region in previous years. Farmers are demanding timely agricultural incentives, proper use of funds allocated for embankment construction and fair prices for their produce.

According to the DAE, Boro was cultivated on 223,511 hectares of land in Sunamganj during the 2026 season, against a production target of 1,233,517 tonnes. Actual production was around 1.3 million tonnes, with an estimated market value of Tk5,000 crore.

Sunamganj DAE Deputy Director Omar Faruk said agricultural incentives had not yet been approved. “We are trying to secure the incentives, but the amount will be lower than in previous years,” he said.

He added that the department had repeatedly urged the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) to begin embankment construction as soon as water levels receded and complete the work within the stipulated timeframe.

However, he said the department had limited authority to pressure the BWDB, while the Agriculture Department would ultimately face questions if crops were damaged.