Farmers in Rupsa Upazila of Khulna are reaping profits by cultivating four crops annually on the same land, thanks to short-duration rice varieties. By growing paddy three times a year and mustard once, they are maximizing land productivity. Harvesting of BRRI Dhan-98, a short-duration Aus variety, has already begun, with golden fields now glistening across the upazila.
Despite challenges from sun, rain, and pest attacks, farmers remain committed to this intensive cropping pattern. According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, Aus rice has been cultivated on 35 hectares (262.5 bighas) of land in Rupsa. Popular varieties include BRRI Dhan-48, BRRI Dhan-98, BRRI Dhan-106, BINA Dhan-19, and BINA Dhan-21, most of which mature within 110 to 115 days. This short life cycle allows farmers to produce three rice crops and one mustard crop in a single year.
Cultivation is widespread in Samantsena Beel of Noihati Union, Swalp Bahirdia Beel of TSB Union, Shriphaltala Beel of Shriphaltala Union, and Aichgati Beel of Aichgati Union. Farmers say the good yields have brought them much satisfaction. The term “Aus” refers to its early maturity, with the crop sown in Chaitra-Baishakh (March–May) and harvested by Ashar-Shraban (June–August).
Farmer Rezaul Karim from Samantsena village has already begun harvesting BRRI Dhan-98. After cultivating Boro rice in the Rabi season, he planted BRRI Dhan-98 in the Kharif-1 season. Its short growth period has enabled him to harvest early and prepare for planting Aman rice next. He believes that with proper planning, the same plot can yield three to four crops annually.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Tarun Kumar Bala said that 250 farmers have cultivated Aus rice on 262.5 bighas of land this season, expecting a total yield of 140 metric tons. Sample plots of BRRI Dhan-98 are showing potential yields of 13 maunds per bigha. Compared to last year, cultivation has increased by 3 hectares, and mustard farming is also expanding. Higher yields and favorable prices are expected to encourage more farmers to adopt Aus cultivation.
