Enhancing Boro Rice Productivity and Profitability in Flash Flood-Prone Haor Areas of Bangladesh: The Influence of Planting Times, Varieties, and Management Practices

Flash floods in the Haor regions of Bangladesh frequently destroy Boro rice crops at maturity or near maturity, leading to farmers' reluctance to invest adequately in cultivation, resulting in poor crop management and reduced productivity. However, adopting improved agricultural practices, such as selecting suitable rice varieties and optimizing planting schedules, can significantly enhance Boro rice yields and mitigate the impact of flash floods. An on-farm experiment was conducted from December 2021 to May 2022 in the flood-prone region of Sunamganj, Bangladesh, using a three-factor split-split plot design with three replications. The study evaluated the effects of sowing dates (15 December and 30 December), rice varieties (BRRI dhan28, a short-duration variety; and BRRI dhan92, a long-duration variety), and management practices (poor, moderate, and good) on Boro rice production. Results indicated that good management practices led to significant yield increases of 22.2% and 55%, along with gross margin improvements of 23.8% and 64.5%, compared to moderate and poor management. The long-duration variety (BRRI dhan92) performed best with early planting, while the short-duration variety (BRRI dhan28) excelled with later planting. Despite the high yield potential of BRRI dhan92, early planting posed a higher risk of flash flood damage at maturity. These findings highlight the importance of strategic cultivar selection, optimized planting times, and improved management practices to maximize Boro rice productivity in flood-prone regions and reduce the risk of crop loss due to flash floods.