Pests have attacked cauliflower and cabbage fields across Meherpur. Farmers say black-headed insects have spread through their land and cannot be controlled even with pesticides. Having failed to control them, farmers are at a loss, and they complain they are getting no help from the agriculture office.

On Saturday (27 October), in the fields of Kutubpur, Ujalpur and Sholmari in the district's Sadar upazila and Saharbati, Kathuli, Dhala, Nawapara, Jorpukur and Garabaria in Gangni upazila, almost every cabbage field was found to be under attack. Because of the black-headed insects, leaves in most fields had holes and turned yellow, and eventually roots rot and plants die.

Farmers are getting no results despite using fungicides and pesticides from various companies. Shukur Ali of Saharbati village in Gangni said he has grown cabbage on about 15 bighas this year. Black-headed and flying insects have badly attacked his and most other villagers' cauliflower and cabbage fields. Farmers are using granular and liquid pesticides, but nothing stops the attack, and even Tk 3,000 to 4,000 of pesticide per bigha is not working.

Shamser Ali of the same village grows 5 to 6 bighas of cabbage every year and has planted 5 bighas of cauliflower and cabbage this time. He said he sold early cabbage at Tk 75,000 a bigha last year, and at the start of this season cabbage fetched Tk 70,000 to 75,000 a bigha, which is why cabbage farming has increased greatly in the area. He has used better pesticides from village and town shops, but none work.

Abdul Hannan, a farmer from the same village, complained that although they are in great trouble with their cabbages, no one from the agriculture office has checked on them. Farmer Khaibar Ali made the same complaint, saying most farmers do not know the person assigned to look after crops in their village, which is why they are not managing to control the pests.

Golam Hossain of Kutubpur village in Sadar said the black-headed insect has attacked their fields, especially cabbage. If it cannot be controlled, cabbage yields will be badly hit. Even the most expensive pesticides on the market are not working, and many people's cabbage fields have been completely destroyed by the pests.

Swapan Kumar Kha, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), said caterpillars (leda poka) have recently attacked cauliflower and cabbage fields. Because many farmers have used fungicides and pesticides in excess, the insects' tolerance has increased, so pesticides are not working properly. Agriculture officers are advising those farmers to use other pesticides.

According to the district DAE, early and seasonal cabbage and cauliflower have been grown on about 2,000 hectares this season.

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