Farmers and agricultural experts expect optimum output of the country's second major crop, aman rice, through introducing supplementary irrigation in view of late monsoon rains in parts of north and northwestern regions.

Lesser than expected rainfall in late July and early August had initially exposed farmers in the two regions to uncertainty about this year's aman production, which was particularly crucial this year due to global grain supply challenges.

"But they (farmers) were quick enough to opt for supplementary irrigation using the irrigation pumps as advised by concerned government bodies and agriculture experts," Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) director general Dr M Shahjahan Kabir told BSS.

Farmers in several areas said aman seedlings grew older as they waited for rainfall to soften the soil, reducing their quality a little, but enhanced production was expected to cover the quality issue with the use of supplementary irrigation.

"I was forced to plant aman seedlings of over 20 days old on 10 kathas of land after days of waiting for rain. It increased my farming cost, but I expect yield to be high in volume to cover the cost," a farmer of Babutoli village of Mymensingh said.

The BRRI chief said the use of irrigation pumps instead of natural rains could raise the aman production cost as high as 5%, but it was crucially needed for the country's food security in view of the global scenario.

According to meteorological department records, the country this year witnessed 35-50% less rainfall than usual during the season, though parts of Bangladesh, like the southeastern port city of Chattagram, saw 28% higher than natural downpours inundated twice.  

Agriculture Extension Department (DAE) officials said over 77% of plantations were completed on average by now across the country, while at places, 97% of cultivation areas were covered.

"We are expecting 1.65 crore tonnes of aman output (this year)," DAE director general Badal Chandra Biswas said.

DAE earlier set a production target of 1.71 crore tonnes of aman in 2024, while last year's actual production was 1.63 crore tonnes.