RANGPUR, Jan 23: The Boro paddy cultivators under Rangpur agriculture region are apprehensive during the current season as seedbeds prepared for transplantation of Boro seedlings have been damaged in many areas owing to severe cold coupled with dense fog, persisting across the region for the last several weeks.
Sources alleged that farmers are failing to protect their seedbeds from the affect of cold even after spraying medicine. Boro seedbeds in many areas are turning yellowish and getting damaged. The situation has been prevailing in all five districts under the region.
Farmers are apprehending that there might be scarcity of seedlings as a large number of seedbeds have been perished in the region because of the intense cold.
Full-swing Boro cultivation would be delayed as the farmers might have to prepare fresh seedbeds. At least 30 to 35 days would be required for maturity of seedlings, farmers said.
Joynal Miah, a Boro cultivator of Mamuderpara village at Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur district told The Financial Express that he had procured quality Boro seeds at high prices for preparing 7 decimal seedbeds with the hope to get good yield but his hope was shattered due to severe cold and dense fog which caused massive damage to the seedbeds, he further said. He said he will have to borrow money at high rate of interest for preparing fresh seedbed again.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Rangpur official sources farmers have prepared Boro seedbeds on around 29,710 hectares of lands in five districts under Rangpur region in the current season. The districts are: Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat.
About 30 to 35 per cent seedbeds have been affected by intense cold and dense fog, sources alleged.
Expressing disappointment the affected farmers apprehended that the target of Boro cultivation might not be achieved in the districts during the season due to seedling crisis.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Rangpur, official sources said that seedlings in many areas have been affected because of cold and dense fog. DAE is providing the farmers with all necessary advices and supports in this regard so that they can combat the adverse situation, sources added.
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