Black rice trial raises hopes in Rajshahi

Farmers in Rajshahi’s Durgapur upazila have begun experimental cultivation of black rice for the first time, raising hopes of higher incomes and greater crop diversity should yields and market demand prove favourable.

According to the Durgapur Upazila Agriculture Office, a young entrepreneur, Sohan, has planted the crop on 16 kathas of land in Debipur village, while farmer Abu Taleb has grown it on roughly 2.5 bighas in Pali village. The local agriculture department is providing technical guidance on cultivation, yield improvement and marketing. Taleb told Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) that he opted for a trial plot to minimise risk, since the crop was unfamiliar to the area. Farmers estimate yields of 16-18 maunds per bigha and, at a projected price of Tk 4,000 per maund, gross revenue could reach Tk 64,000-72,000 per bigha. Nevertheless, actual profits will hinge on production costs, yields, and market prices.

Black rice contains anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for its dark hue, which also possess antioxidant properties. Moreover, its dietary fibre and other nutrients may appeal to health-conscious consumers, although commercial success will ultimately depend on production costs, consumer demand and effective marketing. Durgapur Upazila Agriculture Officer Sahana Parveen Labani said the trial could help diversify local agriculture, and officials will assess yields, costs and market demand before deciding whether to expand cultivation.

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Rajshahi has traditionally grown Aus and Aman rice, while irrigation development has expanded Boro production. Consequently, a successful black rice trial could offer farmers an additional source of income and broaden agricultural output in the region.