Farmers fear yield loss for rain, pest attack

RAJSHAHI, Nov 4: The harvesting of Aman paddy has started at Tanore Upazila of the district, but the farmers are worried about possible yield loss due to rain and rat and pest attack.
Due to gusty wind and drizzling rain for few days in the last month, the Aman paddy plants have fallen on the ground in most of the lands. Besides, the pest and rat attack has worsened the situation. The situation may worsen due to labourer crisis, the farmers apprehended.
While visiting different areas of the upazila, it was found that the farmers are harvesting the Aman paddy from their lands. Due to rain on October 20 and 21, the paddy plants on most of the lands have fallen on the ground.
Meanwhile, the local agriculture department is expecting bumper yield of Aman this season.
The Aman paddy harvesting has started at Debipur, Kashimbazar, Saranjai, Chimna, Mundomala, Salampur, Narayanpur, Ilamdahi, Pakchandpur, and Bilshahar areas of the upazila. But, the farmers are worried about the rain and pest attack in their fields.
Farmer Abdul Khaleq of Mohanpur Village under Pachandor Union in the upazila said, "To drive away rats, I have installed a device made with polythene on my Aman paddy land. Hearing the rattling sound of the polythene, the rats flee away and at that time and refrain from cutting the plants."
Mozahar Ali of Mundomala Poura area said, "Due to rain and pest attack, the Aman paddy plants on my field have fallen on the ground. I am now worried about possible production loss."
In this connection, Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiqul Islam said, "Aman paddy was cultivated on 21,550 hectares of land in the upazila this year. Though there has been pest and rat attack, the situation is under control. Our sub-assistant agriculture officers are working at field level to assist the farmers in checking the pest and rat attack. They are also distributing leaflets instructing the farmers in this connection."