Three rounds of flooding in Dewanganj, Jamalpur, inundated low-lying parts of Chukaibari, Chikajani, Bahadurabad, Hatibhanga and Char Amkhawa unions and the municipal area. Although the last flood receded quickly, it badly damaged roads and transplanted Aman on 287 hectares, with losses of nearly Tk three and a half crore. Now that the water has gone, farmers are busy again trying to make up the loss.

According to the upazila agriculture office and local sources, more than 35,000 farmers grew transplanted Aman on 9,280 hectares this season. Of that, 474 hectares went under floodwater. Although the water drained quickly, the crop on 287 hectares was completely destroyed, affecting 5,150 farmers. The total loss came to Tk 3 crore 53 lakh 584.

Farmers are now collecting Aman seedlings from seedbeds and planting again. They hope that, though the yield will be lower, a large part of the loss will be recovered. But many are said to be unable to replant because of a lack of money and seedlings.

Abdul Malek, a farmer of Char Hatibhanga village, said he had grown transplanted Aman on three bighas at a cost of Tk 15,000, but the flood destroyed it completely and it will take him time to get back on his feet. Because of the seedling shortage he cannot replant. Many farmers in the area lost their crops to the flood and are in the same position.

Almas Ali of Lankarchar village said his crop on two and a half bighas was completely destroyed when it went under water. After the water receded he bought seedlings at a high price and planted Aman on one and a half bighas to recover the loss.

Md Rezuan Mia of Polakandi Namapara village said he had planted Aman on two and a half bighas thinking there would be no flood, but it was all destroyed. Because of financial trouble and a lack of seedlings he cannot replant.

Abdur Rashid of Kholabari said: "We farmers depend on farming; our households run on it. The Aman in our fields went under floodwater and was destroyed. To recover, I am again buying Aman seedlings at a higher price and planting them. We have not received any help from the agriculture office yet."

Dewanganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Alamgir Azad said transplanted Aman on 287 hectares had been destroyed in this flood, with losses of more than Tk 3 crore 53 lakh, the worst of it in Chukaibari union. Farmers have bought seedlings and planted Aman again to recover, and the agriculture department is helping them in every way, he said.

Zakia Sultana, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Jamalpur, told Jago News that the district's transplanted Aman target was 1.11 lakh hectares. Hill runoff from upstream flooded 10,180 hectares, of which the crop on 4,121 hectares was completely damaged. Farmers are replanting to make up the loss, and agriculture officials at every level are standing by the affected farmers and advising them, she said.

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