Farmers in Bangladesh’s haor regions have suffered major losses this season due to inadequate disaster preparedness by local authorities, the agriculture department, and the farmers themselves. Sudden flash floods and continuous rainfall have submerged large areas of Boro paddy fields, leaving farmers unable to harvest their crops. Heavy reliance on machinery has worsened the situation as rising water levels rendered harvesters and reapers unusable. Labor shortages have intensified the crisis, with workers demanding higher wages but unable to meet expected productivity.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, around 455,000 hectares of land were cultivated with Boro paddy this season, of which nearly 49,073 hectares were affected to varying degrees. Between 40 and 50 percent of crops in these areas are feared lost, with an additional 10 percent at risk due to unharvested fields. Farmers in Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, and Netrokona reported that many agricultural workers have shifted to other professions such as driving auto-rickshaws, making it difficult to find laborers.

Officials said lists of affected farmers are being prepared and government assistance is under process. Experts emphasized the need for a dedicated disaster preparedness plan for haor regions and direct procurement systems to ensure fair prices for farmers.