Bangladesh is heading for a rice shortfall of more than 200,000 metric tons after heavy pre-monsoon rains and upstream inflows damaged its main crop in the northeastern haor wetlands at the peak of harvest.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) reported widespread losses across districts including Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, Habiganj, Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Brahmanbaria, with tens of thousands of hectares affected.
The Boro crop, harvested in April and May, accounts for nearly 55% of the country’s total rice output and is central to food security. This season, it was planted on more than 455,000 hectares in the haor region, with a production target of over 1.9 million tonnes.
Although much of the crop has already been harvested, rising floodwaters are now threatening fields at a critical stage of maturity. Official data show more than 46,000 hectares of standing crops have been submerged, with ripe paddy in some areas beginning to spoil.
Officials warned that losses could increase further if water levels continue to rise.
Farmers say persistent cloud cover has slowed the drying of harvested paddy, while labour shortages have delayed cutting. Flooded fields have also become difficult to access, pushing up wages and complicating efforts to deploy workers.
A lack of harvesting machinery has further hampered attempts to salvage crops, reports Reuters.
The government has pledged at least three months of assistance to support affected farmers.
Farmers have also faced irrigation disruptions linked to diesel shortages amid the Middle East conflict.
Analysts say significant losses could tighten domestic rice supplies, push up already high prices and increase import demand. Bangladesh, the world’s third-largest rice producer, consumes most of its output but often turns to imports when production is hit.
As one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Bangladesh regularly faces flooding during the monsoon season.
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