RAJSHAHI, Jan 1: The district has been experiencing severe cold weather for last several days. In this unfavourable weather, the Boro seedbeds may face damage.
Denying the cold weather, the local farmers are taking care of their Boro paddy seedbeds. The agriculture experts and the farmers are apprehending that the Boro seedbeds may get affected with cold injury.
The saplings in the early prepared seedbeds are becoming yellowish. But, the seedbeds have not been damaged yet. The agriculture experts and the farmers said not only the Boro seedbeds, but other Rabi crops and vegetables, like potato, bean and mustard may also be affected by the cold weather. If the unfavourable weather lasts long, there is possibility of massive damage to Rabi crops including the Boro paddy.
Farmer Alimuddin of Mathura Village in Paba Upazila said, "I will cultivate Boro on five bighas of land. So, I sowed seeds in the field. But, I fear of cold injury of the seedlings as the cold weather has been prevailing for last several days. In this connection, I cover my seedbed with transparent polythene at night and uncover it after the sun rises."
Sources at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said, the target to prepare seedbed is on 3,256 hectares of land and the cultivation target is 65,125 ha. The work for preparing seedbeds and sowing seeds is going on in full swing. The farmers are being provided various advices on Boro cultivation.
Farmers Sazzad Ali of Kulpara Village and Asad Ali of Basantapur Village under Hargram Union in Paba Upazila, and Taslim Uddin of Chandpur Village in Mohanpur Upazila said, "We started the work of preparing Boro seedbeds and sowing seeds early this time. But, due to cold weather and fog, there is possibility that many seedbeds may get damaged. We are trying our level best to protect the seedbeds."
Deputy Director of district DAE Shamsul Haque said, "We got no news of the damage of Boro seedbeds from anywhere. The farmers are ready to protect the seedbeds. We are giving advice to the farmers so that they can take care of their seedbeds properly. In this connection, we are asking them to cover the seedbeds with polythene at night."
