SINGRA, NATORE, May 15: Farmers in the Chalan Beel region are struggling to harvest Boro paddy due to adverse weather conditions and a severe labour shortage, leaving many unable to bring their crops home on time.
Continuous rainfall and upstream water inflow have inundated large areas of farmland and even homesteads, causing paddy plants to sprout in the fields and household yards. In several low-lying areas, about 300 hectares of paddy fields, along with maize and other crops, have gone under water due to breaches in different points of the Atrai and Gur rivers.
In many areas, farmers are seen harvesting paddy while standing in knee- to waist-deep water. However, the acute shortage of agricultural labourers has worsened the situation. Even when workers are available, wages have surged sharply, adding further financial pressure on growers.
As harvesting delays continue, many farmers are being forced to sell their paddy at half the price or on credit due to the inability to dry and store the produce properly.
Recent visits to Bil Tajpur, Satpukurya, Indrasun, Dahia, Berabari and surrounding areas found paddy fields and even homestead areas submerged, while seedlings were emerging from fallen paddy plants due to prolonged water-logging.
Farmer Abdul Jalil of Indrasun Village said he cultivated paddy on eight bighas of land, spending around Tk 17,000-18,000 per bigha. "Due to continuous rain, we could not harvest on time and now paddy is germinating in the field. Labourers are demanding Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500 per day, which is beyond our capacity," he said.
Another farmer, Nasir Mondal, said he cultivated paddy on 20 bighas but could not harvest due to bad weather and labour shortage. "Now rainwater has accumulated in the fields and seedlings are coming out again," he added.
Local resident Raju Ahmed said farmers in Chalan Beel are facing losses similar to those in haor regions. "They are unable to bring their hard-earned crops home due to continuous rainfall and water-logging," he said.
Farmers also blamed poor maintenance of sluice gates along the Atrai River, saying water enters the beel through multiple points every year, worsening the flooding situation.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, Boro cultivation has been carried out on 36,610 hectares in Singra this season, of which around 27,000 hectares have already been harvested. However, about 300 hectares remain submerged due to heavy rainfall and upstream flow.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Khandaker Farid said crop loss assessment will be carried out later, adding that field monitoring is ongoing.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdullah Al Rifat said sudden water rise in the Atrai and Nagor rivers has led to flooding in several Chalan Beel areas. "We are monitoring the situation and coordinating with farmers. Necessary embankment protection and guarding measures have been taken," he said.
