Sylhet farmers planting T-Aman after flood water recedes

SYLHET, Aug 07: After the damage of Aus paddy by floods in Sylhet region weeks ago, the farmers are now trying to use the same lands for cultivation of transplanted Aman as floodwater recedes.
T-Aman farming would continue until the end of August, farmers and officials said. However, water remains stagnant in some low-lying areas.
When contacted, Deputy Director at DAE's Sylhet divisional office Kazi Mujibur Rahman told this correspondent that T-Aman has so far been cultivated on 93,688 hectares of land (23 per cent) in the division against a target of 403,280 hectares. It includes 40,745 hectares in Sylhet, 48,224 hectares in Moulvibazar, 2,515 hectares in Habiganj and 2,203 hectares in Sunamganj. However, preparing seedbeds has almost been completed except for some late varieties.
Some 29,400 flood-hit farmers had already got seed and fertilizer as incentives to cultivate Aman on one bigha each. Besides, 673 farmers were given seedbed costs while 53,000 others were assisted with fertilizer and seed under the rehabilitation programme in the division. It would help the poor farmers cultivate T-Aman on one bigha each, the official added.
Farmer Jahangir Mia of Dharampasha in Sunamganj said seed price is higher this time due to the rising demand for certain varieties. The sellers are extracting even double than the government-fixed price for some of high-yielding varieties like BR-57 and BR-87 etc. The demand went up as the farmers are cultivating Aman on Aus lands too after the crop was destroyed by floods.
Farmer Abdus Sobur Sujam of Dakshin Surma upazila said floods damaged Aus paddy on his 12 bighas of land in June. Some of lowlands are yet to be fit for Aman farming as floodwater was receding very slowly, he said.
"I have already transplanted Aman of BR-49 and BR-87 varieties on the rest of highlands. We have still weeks ahead for transplanting Aman," he added.
A number of farmers like Saidur Rahman of Dakshin Surma said a hike in urea fertilizer price would cause trouble for them. Rural dealers often take some extra money for urea during the peak season. Fertilizer supply is almost normal, he said.
Farmer Abdul Hasib of Golapganj upazila who lost Aus paddy on 10 bighas of land said, "I would use the whole land for Aman farming. My seedbed is ready. Transplantation would be done after two weeks."
"The rise in urea fertilizer price would hit us to some extent. Aman farming would be a little higher this time," he added.
An official said in addition to the last month's stock of 5,966 tonnes of fertilizer, the ministry has sanctioned 15,920 tonnes of fertilizer, including 9,727 tonnes of urea, for August in the division.
Also 1,433 tonnes of TSP, 1,527 tonnes of MOP and 2,233 tonnes of DAP have been sanctioned by the ministry concerned. The farmers need urea at the time of top dressing, two weeks after transplantation, he added.