A severe diesel shortage in Bangladesh’s northern districts is threatening irrigation during the critical Boro rice cultivation season as of March 29, 2026. This crisis has raised fears of a potential drop in rice production, causing distress among local farmers.
Farmers across 16 districts, including Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, and Rajshahi, report an inability to irrigate their fields due to the diesel shortage. The situation has left diesel-powered irrigation pumps and machinery idle, with many farmers turning to the open market where prices are significantly higher than the government-set rates.
In regions like Madhupur Char in Rangpur, diesel prices have surged from Tk 102 to Tk 120 per litre within days, exacerbating the financial burden on farmers. Despite government claims of normalcy, local farmers express urgent concerns about the ongoing fuel crunch.
The Department of Agricultural Extension has set a cultivation target of 652,000 hectares for Boro rice this season. However, with 21% of the land reliant on diesel-powered pumps, the current shortage poses a severe threat to achieving this goal.
Experts urge the government to prioritize fuel allocation for agriculture to avert a food production crisis. The geopolitical instability in the Middle East has led to rationing measures, but experts stress the need to support critical sectors like agriculture.
Efforts are underway to address the crisis, with the Cabinet Committee approving emergency diesel imports. However, if the shortage persists, the impact on Bangladesh’s main food grain could be devastating.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 30, 2026
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