Rangpur farmers busy preparing Boro seedbeds ahead of severe cold

RANGPUR, Dec 2: Farmers at different districts under Rangpur division are now passing busy days preparing Boro seedbeds in a bid to complete their work well ahead of the severe cold and foggy weather.

According to sources last year many farmers suffered huge losses as Boro seedlings in many district under the division had perished due to cold injuries caused by intense cold spell and foggy weather.  This season the farmers have become more aware and have started preparing seedbeds early with the hope to grow healthy and mature seedlings during the winter season.

Farmer said that last year a large number of seedbeds prepared for transplantation were damaged due to severe cold coupled with dense fog persisting all over the region for the last several weeks. Farmers failed to protect their seedbeds from the affect of cold even after spraying medicine. Boro seedbeds in many areas had turned yellowish. The situation had been prevailing in all eight districts under Rangpur division, sources alleged.  

Farmers said that during prolonged cold spell and foggy weather seedling may suffer cold injuries and also get damaged consequently the production can be affected. For this reason they have started preparing their seedbeds quite early this season to avert any adverse circumstances during winter, they further said.   

Joynal Miah, a farmer of Mamuderpara village under Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur, told The Financial Express that last season he had procured quality Boro seeds at high prices for preparing 10 decimal seedbeds with the hope to get good yield but his hope was shattered due to the shivering cold. So, this season he has already completed preparing seedbeds in order to prevent any adverse impact.

It is learnt that the Farmers are giving their optimum effort in preparing seedbeds with the hope to get quality and mature seedlings for transplantation during peak period. They are quite optimistic of achieving a good yield of Boro paddy during the upcoming season.

In order to make the programme a success BADC is distributing quality Boro seeds among the farmers. Besides some NGOs and private companies are also distributing seeds among the farmers, sources said.

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