Vast fields stretch along the banks of the Mongla-Ghashiakhali channel, where Aman rice was harvested nearly two months ago. While most of the fields now lie barren, ripe wheat can be seen swaying in the wind in a few plots.

Farmers in Patuakhali have successfully cultivated wheat through a method known as relay cropping, raising hopes that lands left fallow during the dry season can now be used for growing the cereal grain.

Farmers, buoyed by soaring prices of flour in the domestic market because of the decline in imports, have brought more areas under wheat cultivation this season in a welcoming development.