Farmers in the district agricultural region have already completed 96 percent of the targeted Boro paddy planting for the current season. Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) - Farmers in the district agricultural region have already completed 96 percent of the targeted Boro paddy planting for the current season, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country's food security.

Md. Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), told BSS that farmers across Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, and Narail districts are working hard to ensure the success of the intensive Boro rice cultivation program, supported by government initiatives and modern agricultural technologies.

According to the DAE, this season's target for the Khulna region is to produce 1,210,283 tons of Boro rice from 264,719 hectares of land. Of this, 81,696 tons of hybrid Boro rice from 162,970 hectares of land, 48,299 tons of high-yielding rice from 1,607 hectares, 288 tons of local Boro rice from 142 hectares.

As of February 15, Boro rice seedlings have been planted on more than 253,252 hectares, achieving 96 percent of the cultivation target.

The DAE said that Boro rice planting in coastal areas has been completed, and efforts are underway to bring low-lying lands, beels, and riverside areas under cultivation. Farmers are also carefully tending the crops to ensure harvest before the monsoon season.

Md. Rafiqul Islam highlighted that farmers are adopting conservation agriculture (CA) practices, including the Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation system, to save water and reduce cultivation costs. Balanced and organic fertilizers have already been applied to the targeted areas, helping maximize yields while conserving groundwater.

He urged farmers to continue using modern technologies and sustainable practices to ensure high production of Boro rice at minimal cost.