TAFSILUL AZIZ

Farmers across the haor region of Kishoreganj are rapidly shifting from paddy to maize cultivation, citing lower risks from early floods, reduced production costs and higher market returns, officials and growers say.

The transition reflects a broader change in the district’s haor economy, where recurring crop losses and declining profitability in rice farming have prompted growers to adopt maize and, to a lesser extent, vegetables as alternative crops.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), maize was cultivated on 12,210 hectares of land in the district this year, with a production target of 1,20,509 tonnes. The figure marks a sharp rise from 4,450 hectares in 2017, indicating a steady expansion over the past decade.

Farmers said maize offers a critical advantage in haor areas -- it can be harvested before the onset of monsoon floods, unlike boro paddy, which remains vulnerable to early inundation and adverse weather.

“Maize is more profitable and less risky,” said Ali Hossain, a farmer in Nikli Sadar, adding that he cultivated the crop on four acres this season.

He expects to earn around Tk 4-4.5 lakh by selling his produce at about Tk 1,400 per maund, against a production cost of roughly Tk 1.5 lakh.

Another farmer, Nasir Uddin, expanded maize cultivation from one acre last year to five acres this season, having made a profit previously.

He said he expects sales exceeding Tk 5 lakh, compared to an investment of about Tk 2 lakh.

Farmers also noted a significant rise in maize prices. A maund of maize that sold for Tk 700-750 a few years ago is now fetching Tk 1,300-1,500, further incentivising the shift.

During a recent visit to Nikli, large stretches of land that previously grew paddy were found covered with maize.

Families, including women and children, were seen drying, threshing, and processing the crop in open spaces, such as school grounds and roadside areas.

“Earlier, we cultivated paddy on these lands despite the risk of floods and hailstorms,” said farmer Abu Sayeed. “This year, we switched to maize and are satisfied with the yield.”

Maize cultivation has expanded notably in haor upazilas such as Nikli, Mithamoin, Bajitpur and Austagram, according to local agricultural officials.

Sadiqur Rahman, deputy director of the DAE in Kishoreganj, said farmers’ growing interest is driven by stable prices and favourable yields.

“Maize was once rarely seen in haor areas, but now it is widely cultivated because it faces less risk from early floods,” he said.

He added that agricultural officials are regularly advising farmers on maize cultivation, which is also considered a nutritious crop, further contributing to its rising popularity.