Published: 12:58 AM, 05 August 2026
The Silent Powerhouse of Food Security: Strategies for a Resilient Aman Season
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossen
The foundation of food security in Bangladesh relies heavily on rice. If rice production drops in even one season, the impact is felt far beyond farming. It disrupts the national economy, changes food supply systems, and makes market prices unstable. When people talk about food security, Boro rice usually gets the most attention because it produces the largest share of our annual rice. However, a closer look at the rural economy shows that Aman rice is just as important. It is a main pillar of our food systems, rural wealth, and the livelihoods of millions of farmers. A successful Aman season does more than just bring more rice to the market. It covers the production losses of past seasons, keeps farmers' incomes steady, and reduces pressure on government food stocks and market prices.
According to recent data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the country grew 1.73 crore tons of Aman rice in the 2025–26 fiscal year. This was a 5.11 percent increase from the previous year. At the same time, the total land used for Aman farming grew to 57.36 lakh hectares. Today, Aman makes up about 40 percent of the country’s total annual rice production, proving its vital role in feeding the nation.
Despite its success, Aman farming faces many threats. Heavy rains, waterlogging, sudden floods, delayed planting, pests, and shortages of fertilizers or seeds can easily damage the harvest. Climate change has made monsoon rains unpredictable in recent years, raising the risks for our farmers. Because of this, simply celebrating a record harvest is not enough. We must prepare for future seasons by making Aman farming more scientific and climate-resilient. This means we need to use climate-smart rice varieties, improve water drainage systems, use modern farming machines, and track crop health with technology. For a long time, Aman has been seen as a silent powerhouse. Its role in keeping our food supply balanced is unmatched. Out of the 4.13 crore tons of total rice produced in the country in FY 2025–26, 1.73 crore tonnes came from the Aman season alone. This means nearly two-fifths of our national rice supply comes from this single farming season.
A major strength of Aman rice is that it is grown all over Bangladesh. Since it is cultivated in almost every region, a natural disaster in one district does not ruin the whole national harvest. The good yield from other areas can make up for the local losses, making Aman an excellent safety net for our food security. Another big advantage is that Aman is mostly a rain-fed crop, meaning it grows using natural monsoon rainwater. Unlike Boro rice, Aman does not need heavy groundwater pumping or electricity- and diesel-run tube wells. This saves a lot of money for farmers and helps protect our underground water levels. However, scientists note that Aman farming depends entirely on regular weather patterns. Every stage—from preparing seedbeds and planting saplings to growing shoots and producing rice grains—requires the right amount of rain and good soil water management. Monsoon farming faces three big climate risks. First, sudden flash floods or heavy downpours can destroy young seedbeds, forcing farmers to replant and spend more money. Second, long periods of waterlogging block oxygen from reaching the plant roots, which stops the crop from growing well and makes fertilizers less effective. Third, high humidity and cloudy skies create the perfect environment for crop diseases like blast and sheath blight, and dangerous pests like the brown planthopper.
A very positive change in the 2025–26 Aman season was that more farmers chose to grow high-yielding varieties (HYVs) and hybrid rice. The land used for high-yielding Aman grew by 3 percent to 46.50 lakh hectares, while hybrid Aman land increased by 5 percent to 3.62 lakh hectares. On the other hand, traditional and local rice varieties, which give much less rice, are being grown less. This shift is happening because modern varieties offer better yields, resist diseases, and match well with new farming tools. The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has been at the center of this agricultural transformation. Operating with 19 research divisions and 17 regional stations across the country, BRRI has connected advanced rice seeds with digital farming tools. Helpful digital tools like the Smart Rice Profile System and the Banglar Dhan Info app give farmers instant information on seed yields, seasonal advice, and grain quality. Other platforms like BRRI's Seed Management System and Rice Solutions are making rice farming data-driven, precise, and modern.
To help farmers fight climate change, BRRI has created special Aman rice varieties that can survive in harsh environments. For areas that face sudden flash floods and stay underwater, varieties like BRRI dhan51, BRRI dhan52, and BRRI dhan110 are highly popular. For coastal areas dealing with high tides, BRRI dhan76 and BRRI dhan77 work best, while BRRI dhan40, BRRI dhan41, BRRI dhan54, and BRRI dhan73 can grow well in salty soils. Farmers in drought-hit, dry regions now rely on BRRI dhan56, BRRI dhan57, and BRRI dhan66. For premium quality markets, fine rice options like BRRI dhan34, 37, and 70 are growing in popularity, while zinc-enriched varieties like BRRI dhan62 and BRRI dhan72 help fight malnutrition in children and mothers.
To prevent big crop losses during disasters, we must map and assess agricultural damage quickly. By using satellite data, remote sensing, and digital field reporting, we can instantly see which Aman fields are hit by floods or heavy rains. Right after a disaster, our top priority must be saving seedbeds. We can do this by training farmers to use raised seedbeds or tray-nursery methods that stay above floodwaters. Because climate and rainfall patterns are shifting, we must change our planting calendars to fit each local area. To stop heavy rains from washing away expensive fertilizers, farmers should apply balanced fertilizers in smaller, multiple doses. Local government authorities and the Water Development Board must work together closely to keep canals clean and drain out excess water from fields. To control pests, we must discourage the excessive use of chemical pesticides and instead promote eco-friendly tools like sex pheromone traps and light traps.
Ensuring steady and sustainable Aman rice production requires a coordinated effort. Research institutes, field workers, supply chains, water management teams, and banks must work together under one plan. Climate-resilient seeds and tools created by scientists must reach remote farmers quickly through the Department of Agricultural Extension. We also need to keep emergency stocks of high-quality seeds and fertilizers ready for disaster-hit farmers. At the same time, banks should provide easy, low-interest agricultural loans and offer flexible repayment schedules during crop failures. In this effort, BRRI's Location Specific Technology Development (LSTD) project is doing vital work. It tests new agricultural technologies directly on local farms, helps select the best rice varieties for specific soils, and trains farmers to reduce production risks.
Aman cultivation in Bangladesh is currently facing a mix of great success and serious warnings. While our recent record-breaking harvests have built up national confidence, growing climate risks show that we cannot afford to be careless. The government's modern vision aims to transform farming into a high-tech, climate-smart sector by prioritizing advanced methods like Nano-Urea and flood-resistant crops. Managing Aman harvests and climate risks is no longer just a private problem for individual farmers. It is the core solution for national food security and stable market prices. By turning these practical ideas into strong policies and active field plans, Aman rice will continue to be Bangladesh's most trusted shield against hunger.
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossen is
Principal Scientific Officer and
Project Director of the Location Specific Technology Development
Project at the Bangladesh Rice
Research Institute (BRRI), Gazipur.
