Blast disease has ruined early-maturing BRRI dhan28 paddy in Bhairab, Kishoreganj, leaving farmers at a loss over their food supply for the whole year. The disease is most severe in BRRI dhan28, and farmers face financial losses as the grain has turned to chaff.

According to the upazila office of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), boro has been grown on 7,650 hectares this year, beyond the target, in several haors including Joanshahi across the upazila's seven unions. Of this, 1,050 hectares are under BRRI dhan28. With the paddy damaged, the upazila agriculture department is doubtful of meeting its target.

In Moutupi, Sadekpur, Rasulpur and Mendipur villages of Sadekpur union, high-yielding boro has been grown in the haor beels this season. Because it matures quickly and its rice is fine and tasty, farmers grow HYV 28 boro alongside hybrid varieties. But blast has appeared on BRRI dhan28 in the seven unions of the upazila, causing heavy damage.

The panicles burned and turned to chaff as soon as they emerged. On top of this, rats cutting the base of the plants are destroying paddy. Farmers in the district have suffered losses; they grew boro with loans and borrowed money and now worry how they will repay their debts. With the paddy ruined, the affected farmers are at a loss over food for the year.

Md Mizanur Rahman, an affected farmer of Moutupi village, said he grew boro on 8 bighas this year, planting HYV 28 alongside hybrids. Blast turned the paddy to chaff, and rats cut the stems in the good fields too, leaving him with financial losses.

Kamal Mia, another affected farmer, said: "I sharecropped others' land this year and planted boro-28 on 30 bighas. The panicles burned and turned to chaff as soon as they came out. I won't be able to bring home a single grain this year. I am worried about what my children and I will eat all year."

Saizuddin, a farmer of Rasulpur village, said: "I grew BRRI dhan28 on 5 bighas this year, at a cost of Tk 35,000–40,000. The paddy I get from these fields now won't even cover the cost."

Farmer Emdadul Haque Emad said: "I grew boro on 20 bighas this year. On 10 of them I grew BRRI dhan28 because water comes in early. A few days ago there was a sudden storm with rain at night. Since then chaff started appearing in the field, and then the whole field turned white. The money I spend on harvesting won't be recovered from the paddy."

Rafi Uddin, a farmer of Sadekpur village, said: "I grow BRRI dhan28 in the low land of the haor every year. Its yield is lower, but it can be harvested in a short time. This year blast destroyed all the paddy in my field. Now only the plants are standing there. What is the point of harvesting such a field?"

Bhairab Upazila Agriculture Officer Aklima Begum said BRRI dhan28 is more prone to blast, so farmers who grew it have suffered more. The agriculture department has inspected the affected farmers' fields and given help and advice, and a list of affected farmers will be sent to higher authorities.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.