Mismatch of data provided by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) creates great difficulties for the policymakers in taking necessary initiatives for any sector, experts observed at a press conference.
Considering the data of major crop outputs, machineries, post harvest loss and others, there is seen a huge difference between the information of BBS and that of DAE, which creates problems.
Their observations came at the inaugural function of the 'month-long nationwide rat killing drive 2019' with the theme "Let's Kill Rat Collectively to Protect Wealth and Crops', organised by the DAE, held at Giasuddin Milky Auditorium in the city.
A rally was held at Khamarbari in the city regarding the drive, organised by DAE.
Md Abdul Mannan, MP, member of the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry of agriculture, while speaking at the post-rally press conference, said: "We get different data from BBS and DAE on losses done by rat and other animals."
The same thing happens in case of output of vegetables, fruits, wheat, maize etc.
This trend is very challenging for policymaking, he said.
The two organisations should maintain coordination to avoid such confusion, he added.
Agriculture secretary Md Nasiruzzaman said, "Rat has appeared to be a threat for our food security system. We have to minimise the rat population to lessen post harvest loss."
Eco-friendly rat management can be the vital means of protecting many beneficial insects together with maintaining a sound environment, he added.
The assistant agriculture officers at upazila level will have to be involved in the rat killing drive as 'Rat Hunters,' he zzzsaid.
DAE deputy director Zakia Begum presented a paper which said rats have caused 4.0 to 5.0 per cent loss to the crop sector in the country.
Farmers in the current Aman season could suffer crop loss worth Tk 2.08 billion, caused by rats, the paper added.
A pair of rats can give birth to about 3,000 offspring a year causing havoc to crop production.
Zakia Begum also said all insects are not harmful for the crops but the chemical pesticides or insecticides are more or less dangerous for both human health and other beneficial insects.
The critical as well as the harmful insects can easily be controlled through promoting eco-friendly method of using organic fertiliser and indigenous insecticides instead of chemical ones.
DAE director (field service wing) Chandi Das Kundu chaired the function while Director (plant protection wing) AZM Sabbir Ibne Jahan and Director (finance and administration) Md Shah Alam, also spoke, among others.
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