The rain that did not come in the monsoon fell all day in the last week of Ashwin in Birganj, Dinajpur. The upazila agriculture office recorded 47 mm on Thursday, 8 October, submerging large areas of early vegetables and potatoes. Farmers who had barely recovered from fuel and fertiliser shortages are now worried.
Birganj has 32,896 hectares of cultivable land, 29,592 of them under aman rice. Early potatoes cover 40 hectares, cauliflower 312, cabbage 55, brinjal 200, cucumber 30, bottle gourd 83, beans 12 and bitter gourd 2. Standing water raises the risk of rot at the base of the plants; around Hablu Hat seedlings have keeled over, and wind has tilted banana plants.
Shariful Islam of Damaikhetro village in Nijpara union had planted early cauliflower on about an acre, days away from market. With water trapped in the field, the seedlings have started to rot at the base, and unless it drains soon his whole season's work will be lost.
Mohbul Islam of Chakai village in Sujalpur union spent extra to sow early potato seed on about seven acres. The rain washed away the soil covering the seed and the standing water threatens to rot it; resowing would turn his whole investment into a loss.
Sub-assistant agriculture officer Md Kashem Ali said sudden weather shocks hit early vegetables and potatoes hardest, and damage will be much smaller if the fields drain quickly. Field officers are out advising farmers, he said.
Photo: USDA / Wikimedia Commons (public domain) (file image: cauliflower)
Source: Dinajpur TV
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