Paddy plants turning dry as growers used herbicide in Godagari

Our Correspondent

RAJSHAHI, Mar 08: Standing paddy plants of nearly 200 bighas of land is going to wither away as the growers used herbicide of a particular brand at Godagari upazila.

A good number of farmers of Biroil village under Gogram union said they transplanted paddy saplings on fields some 40 days ago. After 15 days of the transplantation, their fields were filled with grass and weeds. To contain the grass and herbs, the agents of the herbicide company suggested to use their product on paddy field.

After using the product, the standing paddy plants are getting dry and burnt. Most of paddy plants are dying as their roots are being rotten and some of those are still alive are not growing further. All the plants looked withered and dry.

Farmer Mohammad Faruk of Biroil village said he cultivated paddy on 12 bighas of land. Whenever he watched grass and weed in the field, he went to a local pesticide dealer for suggestion. Later he used the particular herbicide on his cropland according to his suggestion. Now roots of his paddy plants are being rotten and the plants are dying. He is trying his best to save the plants but all in vain. The plant aged about 45-45 days still there was no growth of those and all were dying.

Cultivator Tutul said he is growing paddy on 15 bighas of land. But after using herbicide of a particular company have faded the hope of getting a good yield

Deputy assistant agriculture officer of Gogram Block Sarwar Zahid said he has already visited the affected paddy fields of Biroil village.

He said field-officials of the herbicide company have also visited the fields and listed names of 63 affected farmers.

Shafiqul Islam, upazila agriculture officer of Godagari, said he has investigated the incident of dying of paddy plants by using herbicide in Biroil village and sent the report to the higher authorities. At the same time, he has also directed the agents of the company not to sell the herbicide further and to prepare a list of affected farmers to repay them compensation.

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