Incessant rain hampers winter veggie planting, but blesses Aman

Continuous rainfall across the country is making it difficult for farmers to cultivate early winter vegetables, with many waiting for the rain to stop before planting, according to farmers and agriculture experts. 

Meanwhile, Aman paddy farmers are benefiting from the rainfall, which has reduced the need for fertiliser and irrigation.
 
Unusual rainfall trends 

Typically, rainfall decreases towards the end of the monsoon season, which usually ends by 15 October. However, in recent years, late-season rainfall has increased, a trend attributed to global climate change. This year, rainfall in the first nine days of October has already surpassed the usual monthly amount.

Md Bazlur Rashid, meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and climate change researcher, said, "A few years ago, June usually received normal or above-normal rainfall after the monsoon began, and rain would decrease toward the end of the season. 

"But over the past 8–10 years, rainfall patterns in the country have changed, with more rain occurring at the end of the monsoon. This year, rainfall has been continuous throughout the season, higher than normal," 

He added, "The monsoon will end by mid-October. However, rainfall up to 9 October has almost reached the normal monthly amount. While heavy rainfall in short periods is rare this year, frequent intermittent rain has continued throughout the monsoon, putting early winter crops sown at the end of the season at risk of loss."

"But over the past 8–10 years, rainfall patterns in the country have changed, with more rain occurring at the end of the monsoon."

Md Bazlur Rashid, meteorologist at BMD

Rashid noted that the southern parts of the country, including Dhaka, received above-normal rainfall this monsoon, while the northern regions saw less rain, so no floods occurred this year.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, this monsoon had more rainy days than usual, damaging roads and early winter crops. September had below-normal rainfall, while July and August were above normal, with July seeing nearly 24% more rain than usual, and Dhaka experiencing 45% above-normal rainfall. 

Rainfall is expected to decrease over the next 2–3 days, but a low-pressure system may form over the sea later this month, potentially extending rains into November.
 
Impact on winter vegetables

The Kharif-2 agricultural season runs from 16 July to 15 October, while the Rabi season begins on 16 October. Farmers often plant winter vegetables early to secure better prices, but continuous rainfall has delayed sowing.

Mazharul Islam, a farmer from Benipur, Godagari upazila, Rajshahi, said, "Continuous rainfall has prevented me from planting early cauliflower this year. I have also been unable to prepare seedbeds, so summer onions could not be planted. The rain is also increasing crop diseases."

Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Rajshahi, added, "Rainfall is creating problems for planting summer onions. Further rain could also affect Rabi crop cultivation."

Shakil Ahmed, who planted early winter vegetables on a 20-decimal plot in Mokamtola union, Shibganj upazila, Bogura, said, "The rain has not caused major damage, but it is making weeding difficult, so seedlings are not growing well. If proper sunlight comes now, the crops should recover, but more rain in the coming days could harm the seedlings."

Md Obaidur Rahman Mondal, director of DAE's Field Services Wing, said that while crop damage is not significant, winter vegetable cultivation is being delayed. The department is guiding farmers to address this.

Professor Abu Noman Faruq Ahmmed of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University said prolonged rainfall has prevented full cultivation of early winter vegetables. 

"Some crops have been planted, while others may have been damaged. Once the rain stops, farmers will resume planting fully. Due to climate change, farmers need to adopt modern cultivation practices for vegetable production," he added.

Aman paddy benefiting from rainfall

Farmers who recently transplanted Aman paddy are benefiting from the rainfall in the second week of October. 

Yasin Ali, a farmer from Manda upazila in Naogaon, growing Aman paddy on nearly two bighas, told TBS, "This year, because of the heavy rainfall, we needed less fertiliser, and we are expecting a good yield."

According to the DAE, the target for Aman paddy cultivation this year is 59.574 lakh hectares, of which 59.28 lakh hectares have already been planted, with a production target of 1.81 crore tonnes of rice.

TBS correspondents from Bogura, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Barishal contributed to this report.