Boro cultivators worried because they can’t prepare seedbeds

SYLHET, Nov 16: Though Boro crop production season is already on the peasants in different areas are much worried amid the slow recession of water from haors.
It happens due to the accumulation of water on many croplands in haors of Sunamganj and Habiganj districts. Although only a few farmers had managed seedbeds, most of them suffered in making seed beds causing delay in farming by a fortnight or above.
Besides, selection of schemes through field survey for reconstruction of crop protection embankments is being delayed in the region. As per the government decision, scheme selection as well as formation of Project Implementation Committees (PIC) is to be completed by November 30, but it would be delayed this year, WDB sources apprehended.
As regular practice, the farmers start preparing seed beds by mid- November and it takes about a month for getting plants for transplantation, which runs for a month considering seed varieties and varied land conditions. But, the process is being delayed this year due to late recession of waters for reasons, said the DAE Deputy Director, divisional office Mazumder Md Ilais recently.
Most of the farmers are ready with seeds, but can't set the seedbeds as yet. The DAE has targeted to bring about 475,528 hectares of land in Sylhet division, including the highest 219,300 hectares under Boro farming this year.
As per the Water Development Board (WDB) rules, works on the crop protection schemes are to be started from December15 to February28. But for various reasons every year it gets extended as things remain incomplete within the deadline.
Contacted, Chief Engineer, WDB, Sylhet region Md, Shahidul Islam told this correspondent today due to delay in water recession WDB men could not start survey the proposed schemes for embankment reconstruction. It may also delay formation of project committees whereas works are set to start from December15, he added, saying PICs are responsible for the embankment works.
The government sanctioned Tk 1.28 billion for the division, the chief engineer said.
The deputy commissioner heads the district committee and WDB executive engineer serves as member-secretary of the district level committees to oversee those.
An amount of Tk 680 million has already been sanctioned for the crop protection structures in Sunamganj district having the highest haors. It was Tk 1. 08 billion last year against 730 schemes.

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