Pest attack, stem rot disease ruining standing Aman crops in Rangpur

RANGPUR, Sept 23: Standing Aman plants on vast tracts of lands have severely been attacked by pest and stem rot disease at different districts under Rangpur division making the farmers apprehensive about the output of the paddy during the current season.
Most of the pest and disease infested Aman plants are getting yellowish and the pests are causing devastation to the adjoining fields, though the farmers made repeated attempts to control them by frequent spraying of pesticides.
Farmers alleged that Aman fields at different areas under the region have seriously been affected by stem borer, locally called Mazra Poka, Brown Plant Hopper (Current Poka) and stem rot disease which wither the plants and make them yellow.
Department of Agricultural Extension sources said some 10,46,900 hectares of land were brought under Aman cultivation in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat,  Nilphamari, Dinajpur,  Thakurgaon and  Panchagarh districts under the division during the current season. But the farmers are concerned as they might not get expected yield if immediate steps are not taken to overcome the adverse circumstances.
Talking to The Financial Express a number of farmers at different district under the division alleged that substandard and low quality pesticides have flooded the markets. Consequently they are often deceived by purchasing such pesticides with little or no effect, causing financial losses.
Anisar Rahman (50), a big farmer of Santospur village under Baluamasimpur union at Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur district told FE that his one out of five acres of Aman fields got damaged by Brown Plant Hopper and stem rot disease. Although he sprayed pesticides several times but could not control the intensity of pest attack. Brown plant hopper, locally called current poka suddenly attacks paddy fields in swarms, sucks plants fluid within a short time and turns them into yellowish straw, he also said.
Golap Hossain (45), of Chikli Chowdhurypara village under Alampur union at Taraganj Upazila in Rangpur district said he has cultivated Aman on 4 bighas of land this season. About 30 percent of his paddy fields have been affected by pest and disease. As a result paddy fields are turning yellowish.  No ear of paddy has come out from the plants.
Expressing deep concern over the prevailing situation a good number of farmers urged the authority concerned to take effective measures so that they can get rid of the menace very soon.
Deputy Director of DAE, Rangpur Zulfikar Ali said adequate measures have been taken to combat spread of diseases and pest attack and an awareness campaign is going on urging farmers to contact local agriculture officials to overcome any problem, he added.

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