During the monitoring period from January to March 2026, Boro rice in Bangladesh entered its critical growth stages.

CropWatch monitoring (Figure 2.3) indicates that the cultivated area for Boro rice reached 4,011 thousand hectares, with an estimated yield of 4,166.08 kg/ha and a total production of 16.71 million tonnes. Spatially, rice cultivation remains highly concentrated in the Northern, Central Alluvial Plain, and Eastern regions, encompassing provinces such as Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, and Sylhet. This distribution pattern is highly consistent with historical cultivation belts, with high-yield zones primarily located in the Northwest and Central plains where agro-climatic conditions are most favorable.

CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that Bangladesh experienced abundant rainfall and stable temperatures during this period. The RAIN reached 122 mm, which is significantly above the 15-year average by 48%. This surplus rainfall effectively replenished soil moisture and provided a solid foundation for vigorous crop growth. The TEMP was 21.5°C, only 0.1°C above the average, offering stable thermal conditions that facilitated rice phenological development. However, increased cloud cover associated with frequent rainfall led to a 6% decrease in RADPAR, resulting in a 7% reduction in BIOMSS. At the sub-national level, rainfall in the Sylhet Basin was particularly notable, exceeding the average by 78%, which significantly eased irrigation demands. Conversely, the Hill areas faced a severe rainfall deficit of 73%, leading to a 21% drop in BIOMSS. Regarding agronomic indicators, the CALF for Bangladesh was 85%, representing a slight decrease of 3% compared to the 5-year average. The VCIx stood at 0.88; although this is a slight retreat from the early seedling stage, overall crop vigor remains within a healthy range.  Nevertheless, drought did not pose a substantial threat to the core production areas, and the CroPI remained generally stable at 0.93.

Based on current growth dynamics and agroclimatic indicators, Boro rice is expected to reach maturity in mid-to-late April, with large-scale harvesting commencing in May. Overall, the condition of Boro rice in Bangladesh for the 2026 season is stable, and the production outlook remains favorable.

Figure 2.3 Distribution and yield level of Boro rice in Bangladesh