A severe diesel shortage in Jamalpur has rendered 28,000 irrigation pumps inoperative, putting around 50,000 hectares of Boro rice and other crops at serious risk. Farmers have been queuing for hours at petrol pumps and dealer points with jars and drums, but many are unable to obtain the fuel they need. Most fuel stations display 'no oil' signs, and limited supplies are far below demand, leading to growing frustration among farmers.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Jamalpur targeted Boro cultivation on about 200,000 hectares this season, with 53,368 irrigation pumps across seven upazilas, including 28,103 diesel-powered units. These pumps irrigate roughly 50,406 hectares of farmland, now threatened by the fuel crisis. Farmers report that irrigation intervals have lengthened drastically, causing soil cracks and drying rice plants.

District agricultural officials warn that prolonged shortages could affect production, while the Additional District Magistrate and head of the local fuel monitoring committee insists that diesel supply remains normal and that farmers are being prioritized.

Black cumin cultivation is rapidly gaining popularity among farmers in Sadar upazila of Faridpur due to its low production cost and high profitability. Known scientifically as Nigella sativa, the spice crop also has significant medicinal value, driving demand both domestically and internationally. Farmers typically sow the crop in November after harvesting transplanted Aman rice and harvest it by late March.

Local farmers report that the region’s soil is well-suited for black cumin, yielding about 4 to 5 maunds per bigha, with current market prices ranging from Tk 12,000 to Tk 13,000 per maund. However, some farmers allege that syndicates of traders often deprive them of fair prices. Others note that favorable weather and loamy soil ensure better yields, while adverse conditions such as rain or fog during fruiting can reduce output.

According to the upazila agriculture officer, 495 hectares of land are under black cumin cultivation this year, up by 5 hectares from last year. The agriculture department continues to provide guidance and support, while stakeholders call for stronger government measures to stabilize markets and mitigate weather-related risks.

The Bangladesh International Textile, Knitting and Garment Industry Exhibition (BTKG Expo 2026) will begin on April 29 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka and continue until May 2. The four-day event is jointly organized by the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Inforchain Digital Technology Company Limited. Over 1,000 exhibitors from around 30 countries are expected to participate, showcasing textile machinery, dyes, chemicals, knitting and weaving technologies, embroidery, cutting and sewing equipment, and washing and dry-cleaning innovations.

At a press conference held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem highlighted the garment sector’s importance to Bangladesh’s economy, noting its contribution of over 80 percent of export earnings and 12–13 percent of GDP, employing more than four million people. He emphasized the need for greater technological advancement and sustainable production to remain competitive globally.

The exhibition will feature seminars organized by BKMEA, BUTEX, and Textile Today, focusing on industry trends, technological progress, and future strategies. The event will be open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Residents of eight villages in Sirajganj’s Raiganj upazila depend on a fragile bamboo bridge over the Karatoa River at Kamarbari in Chandikona Union, as no permanent bridge has been built there. Every day, students, farmers, traders, and patients cross the unstable structure at great personal risk to reach schools, markets, and healthcare facilities.

Locals said the lack of a bridge near the Dhaka–Bogura highway severely disrupts communication between the river’s two banks. Farmers face major difficulties transporting rice, vegetables, and other produce to markets, often losing fair prices due to the bridge’s narrow and unsafe condition. The situation worsens during the monsoon when the current strengthens and the bridge becomes slippery, increasing the risk of accidents.

Local residents have long demanded a permanent bridge to ease their hardship. The Raiganj Upazila LGED engineer stated that the need for a bridge is under assessment and a proposal will be sent to higher authorities after verification.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the recent increase in fuel prices does not justify any dramatic rise in bus fares or daily commodity prices. He made the remarks on Saturday, April 25, 2026, while speaking to journalists after visiting the knit industrial zone established on the site of the former Chittaranjan Cotton Mill in Godnail, Siddhirganj, Narayanganj. The minister also suggested that future investors should focus on developing less fuel-intensive factories instead of fuel-heavy ones.

During the visit, Muktadir explained that electricity produced in the country is distributed to private industrial factories after generation, so production and export have not been disrupted by fuel price changes. He attributed any decline in exports to a mild global slowdown rather than domestic energy issues. Responding to another question, he said two industrial plots under BTMC have already been developed, two more are being taken by the same company, and remaining plots face local occupation problems that will be resolved soon to facilitate investment.

State Minister Md. Shariful Alam, BTMC Chairman Brigadier General S.M. Zahid Hasan, and local officials accompanied him during the visit.

Member of Parliament S M Jilani from Gopalganj-3 (Kotalipara-Tungipara) stated that saving canals is essential for saving farmers. He said that active canals help farmers irrigate their lands easily and reduce waterlogging. Due to long-term blockage by water hyacinths, local farmers had been facing difficulties in irrigation and drainage. Considering their needs, he initiated a canal cleaning program.

On Saturday, April 25, Jilani joined the cleaning of the Konervita-Ramnagar canal in Sadullapur Union of Kotalipara upazila. The event aimed to restore water flow and support agricultural activities in the area.

Upazila BNP President S M Mohiuddin welcomed the initiative, calling it timely for solving farmers’ problems. He expressed the intention to continue such public-benefit activities under Jilani’s leadership. Several BNP and affiliated organization leaders and activists also participated in the cleanup drive.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has emphasized the crucial role of the livestock sector in strengthening Bangladesh’s economy. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion marking World Veterinary Day 2026 at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council auditorium on Saturday, he said the government is giving top priority to developing this sector to achieve food self-sufficiency and expand exports.

The minister highlighted that ensuring food security is one of the world’s most important challenges and that veterinary professionals play a vital role in providing safe food for people. He noted that public awareness about food safety has increased over time, and interest in veterinary education and careers has grown significantly across the country.

The event was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Mahbub Alam, president of the Veterinary Association of Bangladesh, and attended by senior officials from the ministry and the Department of Livestock Services. A keynote paper presented by Professor Dr. M. Ariful Islam of Bangladesh Agricultural University discussed the challenges, opportunities, and public health importance of the veterinary profession.

Legendary Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila is set to return to the Australian stage after nearly a decade. She will perform alongside Bengal Symphony and artist Emon Chowdhury in two grand concerts scheduled for August 1 and 8, 2026, in Sydney and Melbourne respectively. The first event, titled “Bangladesh Night,” will take place at Sydney’s Norwest Convention Centre, featuring performances by Runa Laila, Bengal Symphony, and Pintu Ghosh. The second concert, “Runa Laila and Symphony Legacy Tour,” will be held at Melbourne’s Recital Centre.

Organizers described the events as more than just concerts, promising audiences a memorable musical journey. Advance ticket sales have already begun online and are reportedly receiving a positive response. Runa Laila expressed her excitement about performing in Australia again and said she is preparing to sing audience favorites. She will travel to Sydney on July 29 with seven instrumentalists. Emon Chowdhury added that the team is enthusiastic about performing popular songs such as “Kotha Koyo Na,” “Baji,” “Sada Sada Kala,” and “Teka Pakhi.”

India is planning to transfer its stake in Iran’s Chabahar Port to an Iranian company, according to a report by Business Standard. The move comes as the U.S. sanctions waiver allowing India’s investment and use of the port is set to expire on April 26, 2026. To avoid potential sanctions risks, India is taking strategic steps before the waiver period ends.

The report adds that India is considering an interim arrangement under which an Iranian operator will manage the port during the sanctions period. Once sanctions are eased or lifted, India may resume its operations at the facility. This approach is based on a mutual understanding between the two sides.

India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone, a subsidiary of India Ports Global Limited, had been managing the port since December 24, 2018. The current plan reflects India’s effort to maintain its long-term strategic interests while navigating international restrictions.

The Water Development Board (Paubi) has issued a forecast warning of sudden flooding in Sunamganj district. The notice, signed by Executive Engineer Mamun Hawlader on Friday afternoon, stated that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected on April 27, followed by heavy to very heavy rainfall from April 28 to 30. Water levels in major rivers may rise above the danger mark, creating a risk of flash floods starting April 28.

The forecast has caused concern among local farmers, particularly those cultivating crops in the haor areas. The notice warned that the impending floods could damage standing crops. Farmers have been advised to harvest paddy that has ripened at least 80 percent as soon as possible to minimize potential losses.

Authorities have not yet detailed any emergency measures, but the advisory indicates heightened vigilance in the region ahead of the predicted rainfall period.

Farmers across the vast haor wetlands of Kishoreganj are now busy harvesting boro paddy, but the festive mood is overshadowed by frustration over low market prices and high production costs. Despite golden fields stretching across Austagram and nearby areas, thousands of farmers are facing severe financial strain due to waterlogging from heavy rains and soaring expenses for irrigation, fertilizer, transport, and labor.

Field visits revealed that production costs have increased several times compared to last year, leaving farmers unable to cover even daily wages by selling a maund of paddy. Many reported selling wet paddy at only Tk 700–800 per maund, far below the Tk 1,200 production cost. The Department of Agricultural Extension said 104,535 hectares of land were cultivated in Kishoreganj’s haor areas this season, targeting 1.3 million metric tons of output.

Although the government fixed the procurement price at Tk 36 per kilogram on April 22, small and marginal farmers remain doubtful about receiving fair prices due to middlemen’s influence. Locals have demanded direct government purchase from genuine farmers to eliminate syndicates and prevent further losses.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast storms and rain in parts of the northern region even as a mild heatwave continues across the country. In a forecast issued for inland river ports from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, the department said Rangpur and Mymensingh regions may experience gusty or squally winds at speeds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour, accompanied by thunderstorms and rain. River ports in these areas have been advised to display cautionary signal number one.

A separate five-day forecast issued on Friday evening said an extension of a low-pressure area stretching from West Bengal to the North Bay of Bengal could bring rain and hail in several parts of the country in the coming days. Temporary gusty winds, lightning, and scattered hail are likely in parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions. Other regions may remain partly cloudy but mostly dry.

Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged, with the mild heatwave persisting over several districts including Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Khulna.

Import, export, and immigration operations at Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh resumed on Saturday morning after a four-day closure caused by elections in West Bengal, India, and a government holiday. Following the reopening, consignments of LC stones were imported from Bhutan and India. By 4:30 p.m., 196 trucks carrying stones, ginger, and sugar had entered the port, with the remaining trucks expected by 6 p.m.

On the export side, 76 trucks carrying soybean meal, cotton rem, jute roll, and Nasir goods departed from Bangladesh. The clearing and forwarding (C&F) association’s general secretary Jahangir Alam said that after the four-day break, the port’s activities restarted smoothly, restoring vibrancy among workers and traders. The port manager, Abul Kalam Azad, confirmed the resumption of operations.

The Banglabandha land port typically handles around 250 trucks daily from India and Bhutan, and the return to normal operations is expected to stabilize cross-border trade flows.

The Barapukuria thermal power plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, has been shut down again after operating for only 15 hours. The plant had resumed production at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 24, following a 48-hour closure caused by a boiler pipe burst and a broken cooling fan that halted its 125-megawatt first unit on Wednesday night. However, production stopped again around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday when another boiler tube burst.

The complete shutdown of the plant has caused power outages across Parbatipur and eight northern districts. Chief engineer Abu Bakkar Siddique stated that production was halted due to the tube burst and that the boiler steam needs time to cool down. He estimated that full repair work could take five to six days to complete.

The repeated technical failures have disrupted electricity supply in the region, and restoration is expected only after the repair process is finished.

Farmers in Bogura have completed onion harvesting with strong yields, but they are not receiving fair prices. While storage-grade onions from Pabna and Kushtia are selling at Tk 35–40 per kilogram, regular onions are priced between Tk 25–30. Traders and growers report that market supply has dropped, pushing prices up by about Tk 5 per kilogram in the past two days. They expect prices to double before the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha if the trend continues.

Light rain before harvest caused minor damage in several onion-producing districts, including Pabna, Faridpur, Rangpur, and Natore, leading to lower prices for blemished onions. In contrast, the dry, long-lasting “murikata” variety is being stored by farmers and traders, reducing immediate market supply. Nationally, onion production targets have been met, with major output from Pabna, Kushtia, Rajshahi, and Rangpur regions.

Wholesalers in Bogura’s markets say farmers are storing onions due to dryness and quality, while large traders are stockpiling murikata onions. This storage trend is tightening supply and driving prices upward, with expectations of further increases in the coming days.