NATORE, May 3: Rainfall with hailstorm for the last few days has caused extensive damage to the fields of watermelon and bangi at Gurudaspur upazila of the district.
The situation created water logging in the fields. As a result, the plants of watermelon and bangi in these fields have been attacked with rotten disease.
The situation is prevailing in at least 20 villages including Shidhuli, Chalanali, Udbaria, Dharabarisha, Naribari, Pulshara and Charkadaha of Gurudaspur upazila.
Nazrul Islam, a farmer of Shidhuli said, "I cultivated watermelon and bangi on four and a half bighas of land this year. I hoped to sell the fruits at Tk 50,000. But the plants have been attacked with the disease."
He further said, "Under this situation, I have already sold the fruits worth 20 thousand taka. I am worried that I may not recoup my production cost."
Farmer Faridul Islam of Charanali village said, "Last year I sold watermelon worth one lakh fifty thousand taka by cultivating it on two bighas of land. But this time the plants have been damaged and attacked with rotten disease."
Gurudaspur Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Karim said, "Watermelon on 450 hectares of land and bangi on 770 hectares of land were cultivated in Gurudaspur upazila this season. From the beginning, the condition of the plants was good but the unfavourable weather damaged some portion of the produce but that will not affect the overall production."
He further said, the disease has attacked the crops due to fungus, but there is no cause of frustration.
He advised the farmers to spray anti-fungus medicine to the fields to combat the disease. He expected bumper production of the two fruits if the weather remains favourable.
