Aman farmers worried over fertiliser, pesticides in Lalmonirhat

Farmers of Lalmonirhat are hoping for a good yield of Aman rice in the current season due to favourable weather. Due to regular rain there has been no need for extra irrigation in many fields. As a result production costs have also decreased somewhat. The rice plants have also grown quite vigorously in various areas of the district. However, amid the possibility of a good yield the farmers remain worried about getting fertiliser on time and the supply of quality pesticides.

The farmers demand that uninterrupted supply of fertiliser and pesticides must be ensured in the Aman season. At the same time market monitoring needs to be further strengthened to stop the sale of low-quality pesticides in the market. They fear that if fertiliser cannot be applied in the fields at the required time and effective pesticides cannot be used to control diseases and pests, there may be a negative impact on the yield.

Touring the Aman fields in various areas of the district it was seen that the farmers are spending a busy time in the care of the rice. Some are clearing weeds from the fields, some are applying fertiliser. Again some are spraying pesticides in the rice fields to control pests and diseases.

Aman farmer Salam Mia said that due to regular rain this time there was no need to give extra irrigation in the fields. This has reduced the farmers’ costs. The weather has also remained favourable so far. As there has been no major natural disaster the rice plants are also in good condition.

Farmer Abdur Rahman said that at this time there may be attacks of various diseases including stem borer and leaf roller on Aman rice. If measures cannot be taken on time there may be an adverse impact on the yield. Therefore it is urgent that fertiliser and effective pesticides remain easily available as per need.

The farmers alleged that low-quality pesticides are often available in the market. Even after using these pesticides without understanding, the expected result is not obtained. As a result the crop is damaged on one hand and the farmers incur extra expenses on the other. For this reason they have demanded regular market supervision to ensure quality pesticides.

Farmer Sultan of Kharuar Bazar Char area under Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila said that fertiliser has to be applied to the rice on time for a good yield. Using effective pesticides is also urgent when pests appear. If quality pesticides are not available the yield may be hindered.

Farmer Rasel Mia of Kaliganj upazila said that this time’s weather is quite good for the rice. There is hope for a good yield of Aman if the weather remains favourable till the end and good quality pesticides are available in the market.

Additional Deputy Director (Crops) of Lalmonirhat District Agriculture Extension Department Md Motiul Alam said there is no crisis of fertiliser in the district. Adequate amounts of fertiliser are stocked for the farmers. Regular market monitoring is done so that low-quality pesticides cannot enter the market.

He said that samples of pesticides are sometimes collected from the shops of retail sellers and sent to the higher authorities. The qualitative standard of the product is verified through tests. If any product is not up to standard its marketing is stopped.

The agriculture department informed that Aman rice has been cultivated on 86,555 hectares of land in Lalmonirhat in the current season. The target was 86,650 hectares. Although cultivation is somewhat less compared to last year, the farmers are currently also preparing for the cultivation of other crops and vegetables.