More than half of the cultivable land in Chuadanga district has been dedicated to maize cultivation this season, with officials and farmers expecting a bumper harvest valued at over Tk 1,665 crore.
Favourable weather conditions and a lack of pest infestations have led to healthy plant growth, promising high yields for what has become a vital cash crop in the region.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Chuadanga, maize is being farmed on 47,755 hectares of the district’s 94,220 hectares of total cultivable land. Total production is projected to reach 555,152 metric tonnes, with an estimated market value of Tk 1,665.45 crore.
This represents an increase over the previous season, where 47,352 hectares were under cultivation, producing 520,872 metric tonnes valued at approximately Tk 1,562.61 crore.
Masudur Rahman Sarkar, Deputy Director of the Chuadanga DAE, stated that the crop is increasingly popular because it offers higher profits relative to lower production costs and a shorter growth cycle. Commercial maize farming began in the district on a small scale approximately 20 years ago and has since expanded significantly, contributing to a reduction in national imports.
Cultivation typically begins in early November across the four upazilas of the district. Farmers report that the cost of production including seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and land preparation ranges between Tk 15,000 and Tk 20,000 per bigha. With an expected yield of 35 to 40 maunds per bigha, farmers can expect a market return of between Tk 40,000 and Tk 45,000 per bigha.
However, despite the record production, some growers have raised concerns regarding market stability. Rahim Sardar, a farmer from Hizalgari village in Sadar Upazila, claimed that while prices are fair at the start of the season, merchant syndicates often manipulate the market after a few weeks, forcing farmers to sell at lower prices and incur losses.
Echoing these concerns, Hayat Ali, a farmer from Natipota village in Damurhuda Upazila, noted that current prices are often too low compared to production efforts. He urged the new government to intervene and dismantle these market syndicates to protect the interests of the farming community.
