Farmers and traders of Burdwan hope for a promising Aman paddy season due to the steady rainfall this year. The district of Kolkata is usually known for its rice varieties such as Gobindabhog, Sita, Lal Swarna and Atap. The steady rainfall in Burdwan has pacified the fears among farmers related to water scarcity resulting from severe summer heat. Not only this, but the Damodar Valley Corporation has also released the water to mitigate the shortage of water. Nonetheless, seedbeds in the many areas have been damaged due to pelting rain resulting hampering the planting
Paddy has been planted only on 5% of the 3.8 hectares of land till now. transplanting covers 20–25 per cent of land, which will be completed by mid-August. Production levels are anticipated to be much higher compared to last year. Moreover, Farmers stated that the rising costs of fertilisers and other inputs are intensifying their financial burden. Aniruddha Kundu, District Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Rescue Committee, said that even if the government sets a minimum support price, it’s not profitable for farmers.Further, she added that unless the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations are adopted, profitability will remain out of reach.
Farmers are still hopeful as several of them are replanting seedbeds and expecting a healthy yield. Favourable weather could give better cultivation and exports in the upcoming year. Having 100 rice mills with 30 specifically for Gobindobhog rice, East Burdwan has become a chief hub for rice exports, recording daily exports around 5,500 metric tons. Notably, the Centre has imposed duties to ensure the domestic food supply but lifted the export ban in September 2024. Not only this, the centre also reduced the rice export tax from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, including on Basmati Rice. Particularly, Countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam depend on rice imports from India, opening global avenues for Burdwan’s Farmers.
