Harvest Aman early

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has advised farmers to harvest Aman paddy instantly if the maturity of the grain is 80 per cent in order to avoid damage by cyclone Sitrang.

"Otherwise, there might be severe damage to the crop," said the agency in its special agro-meteorology advisory.

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The cyclone is advancing towards the coast at a speed of 15 kilometres per hour. It is likely to intensify further and move in a north-easterly direction and cross the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Khepupara by early morning tomorrow, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

The DAE suggested farmers in the south, southwest, and southeast districts in the Barishal, Khulna and Chattogram divisions, central districts in the Dhaka division and some districts in the northeast harvest transplanted Aman crops that have got 80 per cent maturity.

The DAE said there is a chance of moderate to heavy rainfall apart from high wind at a few places in the coastal districts.

This may have an impact on standing crops as well as cultivation, it added.

Farmers have transplanted Aman on more than 57 lakh hectares out of a total of 59 lakh hectares this year, according to the DAE.

Aman is the second-largest rice crop, accounting for 39 per cent of the total annual rice production.

In order to reduce the negative impact of the cyclone, the DAE also suggested farmers immediately harvest matured vegetables and fruit crops.