NATORE, Mar 11: A good number of Boro farmers in the district are facing seedling crisis as the season is passing fast.
A good number of peasants said the situation arose as severe cold-like situation affected many Boro seedbeds in Sirajganj, Natore and Pabna districts.
"Our production cost has been risen for this. We spent Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,500 last year to transplant Boro seedlings on one bigha of land but this year the cost rose to Tk 4,000 to Tk 5,000", the growers added.
Seedbeds on around 300 hectares of land have been damaged by dense fog and adverse weather conditions.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), around 0.5 million hectares of land have been targeted to grow Boro rice in the three districts.
DAE official sources said necessary measures have been taken to overcome the present situation.
The department distributes fertilisers, insecticides and other input among the farmers so that they can grow the crop without any hassle.
Different commercial banks including Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank have disbursed easy-term loan to the farmers.
Deputy Director of DAE Rafiqul Islam said the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) provided quality Boro seeds to the farmers at fair prices.
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