Aman yield defies floods in FY25, keeps output steady

Despite severe flooding in coastal districts that damaged hundreds of thousands of hectares of cropland, the Aman rice production in FY 2024-25 held firm, thanks to a remarkable rise in average yield.

The resilience of the rice sector helped avoid a feared shortfall, easing concerns over food security and keeping rice prices largely stable during the crucial post-harvest period.

The latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) show that total Aman production reached 16.5 million tonnes in FY25, just slightly below FY24's 16.6 million tonnes.

This stability came even though more than 350,000 hectares of farmland were inundated during the flash floods, with only 30,000 hectares later replanted.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the surge in average yield compensated for the loss in cultivated areas. The BBS reported that average yield per hectare rose to 2.95 tonnes in FY25, up from 2.81 tonnes the previous year.

Although the overall Aman farming area shrank by 100,000 hectares, improved productivity helped maintain production levels, said DAE Director General Md Saiful Alam.

He noted that a significant increase in Boro rice production could also help Bangladesh surpass its previous overall record of 40 million tonnes in total rice output.

The rebound in Aman harvests helped stabilise rice prices during the December-March period, when they remained "rational," Mr Alam added. Aman rice contributed over 40 per cent of the country's total rice output in FY24.

Farm economist Professor Golam Hafeez Kennedy said the flooding in August 2024 was triggered by sudden upstream dam releases in India without prior notice.

This inundated coastal croplands and damaged over 7.0 per cent of transplanted Aman rice along with large areas of vegetable cultivation. In response, the government removed all restrictions on rice imports.

As a result, both the food ministry and private importers brought in 1.25 million tonnes of rice, costing over US$650 million, to stabilise the domestic market.

However, SM Nazer Hossain, vice president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, said the flood's impact lingered, keeping rice prices high until May 2025. Although prices eased briefly, they began climbing again from June.

Over the past month, rice prices have increased by Tk 6-8 per kg in Dhaka's grocery stores. Coarse rice is now selling for Tk 55-56 per kg, medium varieties for Tk 64-66, and finer varieties between Tk 78 and Tk 100 per kg.

tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com