Sabbir Hossain, Hatibandha, (Lalmonirhat)

The economy of Lalmonirhat is experiencing a revival with the cultivation of golden corn in the char areas along the Tista River.

Across 72 kilometers of chars on the left bank of the river, farmers are cultivating this high-value crop over thousands of hectares. This farming boom has been particularly noticeable in four flood-prone upazilas: Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, and Aditmari. Among them, Hatibandha has emerged as a hub for corn cultivation, transforming the lives of local farmers.

Compared to rice or other crops, corn is far more profitable. Farmers growing corn on one bigha (0.33 acres) of land can expect a yield of 40-42 maunds, with production costs ranging from Tk 14,000 to Tk 16,000. With the current market price of corn at Tk 1,230 to Tk 1,340 per maund, farmers earn a net profit of Tk 30,000 to Tk 40,000 per bigha. This lucrative return has encouraged many farmers in the char areas to switch to corn farming over the past few years.

Even though six out of twelve unions in Hatibandha have suffered losses due to Tista's erosion, corn farming has become a beacon of hope for local farmers. The fertile silt deposited by floods has enhanced soil quality, leading to promising yields this season.

Sushant Singh, a farmer from Saniyajan Union, shared, "I’ve cultivated corn on 2.5 acres, spending around Tk 130,000. If the harvest goes well, I expect to sell 200-230 maunds of corn and make a profit of over Tk 100,000. Lower prices for seeds and fertilizers would boost profits even further."

Raju Mia, another farmer from Char Sindurna, dreams of recovering his flood-related losses through corn farming on four acres of land.

The upazila agriculture office has been actively supporting farmers by providing training, advice, and encouragement. This year, Hatibandha alone saw corn planted on 14,690 hectares. Kartik Kumar, an agricultural officer, stated, "Corn farming is highly profitable, so farmers are gravitating toward it. Favorable weather and fair market prices could further boost the char economy."

The golden grains of corn have brought financial relief to once-poor residents of the char areas. Many have seen their fortunes change, improving their standard of living. According to local farmers, corn has become the new engine driving the economy of these chars. With greater government and private support, this region could emerge as a model for agricultural success.