Pests have destroyed much of the aman paddy on Dulal Islam's land at Mayapara in Barashashi union of Boda upazila, Panchagarh, and he says the agriculture officer in charge of his block never came to see it. Farmers in Chilapara, Dangapara, Konabalapara, Sardarpara, Balapara, Amarkhana and Sabujpara make the same complaint, Ajker Patrika reported.
Their complaint is against Md. Asaduzzaman Sarkar, the sub-assistant agriculture officer for Barashashi union. They say he is rarely in the area, advice does not come in time when diseases or pests strike, farmer group meetings are not held and fields are not inspected.
Tariqul Islam of Mayapara grows brinjal, vegetables and paddy on about 22 bighas each year but says he has had no advice from the officer. Babul Hossain of Amarkhana, who farms about five bighas, says he has heard of government training and incentives but never received guidance on them. Monjurul Islam of Sarkarpara says no one from the agriculture department is seen in the area regularly.
Asked about the complaints, Asaduzzaman Sarkar said many farmers may not recognise him, but those who contact him get advice. He said some villagers were making false allegations against him.
Boda upazila agriculture officer Rashedunnabi Rashed said he was aware of the complaints, which would be checked, and action would be taken against sub-assistant agriculture officers in line with the rules.
Photo: Tanvir Rahat / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source: Ajker Patrika
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