Dream of boro farmers of Rajshahi has washed away with the water of the heavy rainfall.
With the effect of climate change this year, a 10-year record rain fell in the month of Baishakh in Rajshahi.
A few days ago, the farmers were dreaming a good profit, but now they are seeing losses.
Talking to Boro farmers and agriculturists, it was known that the farmers were expecting a good harvest as the cultivation was good. The farmers also had the dream of getting the money in advance as the rice price was announced by the government.
According to the weather office, there was over 200 millimeter in the month of Baishakh in Rajshahi.
For this rain, the boro field was submerged in different areas. In some areas, rice has fallen due to hailstorm.
Farmers cannot cut paddy due to much water in many boro fields, and there is labour crisis is also for this reason. Workers are not available even at double wage than other times.
Due to mud and water in the fields, the paddy harvesting machines also cannot work properly. In this situation, the Boro farmers of this region fear losses.
Zaidur Rahman, farmer of Karnahar area of Paba upazilla, said, he has cultivated boro in 23 bighas of land. Due to hailstorm and heavy rainfall, the boro paddy in his area has been grounded and submerged.
He was unable to harvest the paddy, firstly, due to water, and now he cannot cut paddy for labourer crisis. Those who have harvested the paddy paying higher wages, have got less paddy than they expected. Many farmers are paying the workers' wages by selling the raw rice at a lower price.
Agriculture department said that the farmers have harvested 50 percent of the paddy and the remaining are still in the fields. Farmers have been advised to take rice from the field as soon as possible without keeping rice straw.
The Department of Agricultural Extension of Rajshahi said target of boro cultivation in Rajshahi was 66,212 hectares this year, whereas the cultivation was in 69,205 hectares.
AIMD
