Rain and Labor Crisis Threaten Boro Harvest in Shantiganj

Heavy rainfall and a brewing labor crisis have cast a shadow of uncertainty over the Boro paddy harvest in the haors of Shantiganj, Sunamganj. Persistent rain and a lack of sunlight are not only stalling harvests but also making it nearly impossible for farmers to dry their crops.

According to the Shantiganj Upazila Agriculture Office, Boro was cultivated on 22,612 hectares this season, with a production target of 143,692 metric tons. The estimated market value of the crop stands at approximately Tk 3.97 billion. To date, roughly 10,423 hectares (57%) have been harvested, including 58% of the crop in the critical Deran Haor.

The Meteorological Office warns that hostile weather and heavy rains will likely persist until April 30. Farmers are being urged to harvest any field where the paddy is 80% ripe to mitigate losses.

The dual threat of rain and rising water levels has farmers on edge. In Baishgaon Haor, farmer Sharif Mia expressed fears that unharvested fields may soon be submerged. Even for those who have managed to harvest, the lack of sun poses a threat; wet paddy stored under tarpaulins risks germinating or rotting.

"The yield was excellent, but the weather is turning against us," said Raja Mia, a farmer from Deran Haor. "If the rain continues, we face massive losses."

While labor wages have surged to between Tk 700 and Tk 1,000 per day, the primary bottleneck remains the weather. To speed up the process, the government and private sectors have deployed 122 combined harvesters. Each machine can cover 4 to 5 hectares daily, supported by a government fuel allocation of 100-120 liters of diesel per machine.

The Water Development Board (WDB) is on high alert for flash floods. Deputy Assistant Engineer Md. Moniruzzaman confirmed that risky dams are under 24-hour surveillance.

Shantiganj Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Shahjahan stated that the administration is using mosque loudspeakers to urge farmers to complete their harvests immediately. "We are monitoring the situation round the clock to support our farmers during this critical window," he said.