The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat

After consecutive floods that damaged Aus paddy, pest attack and diseases are making Aman scenario bleak at five upazilas in Lalmonirhat district to the frustration of the farmers and worry of the agriculture officials.

Lalmonirhat Agriculture Extension Department (AED) officials have detected diseases along with pest attack in Aman fields that may affect the crop, now in flowering stage in most areas especially at Lalmonirhat sadar and Kaligonj upazilas.

Some farmers claimed that the diseases and pest attack might reduce the yield by 22 to 25 percent. Agriculture officials, however, fluctuate on the level of damage. AED Deputy Director (DD) in Lalmonirhat Aftab Uddin said, "Transplanted Aman on 730 hectares of land out of 95,000 hectares in the district is so far affected with 'sheet blight' and 'rot blight' diseases. Those may decrease the yield by 3 to 4 percent". The diseases attack only BR-11 and Swarna varieties of Aman, he said. "BR-11 is an old variety and so its capacity to resist diseases has decreased. Swarna is an Indian variety not suitable for the climate of the region", he explained. Farmer Salam Sheikh of Tajpur village under Lalmonirhat sadar upazila in the district said that he used pesticide but is still worried that he would not get even 35 to 40 percent yield.

Another farmer Rahim Uddin of Lalmonirhat sadar upazila said, farmers like him couldn't afford to buy potash at high prices now. He said most of the late-transplanted Aman plants are attacked with 'sheet blight'.

Weather in the region is dry after floods, which is suitable for the diseases to grow, said Jamilur Rahman, an agricultural expert. He added that the late planting might be another reason of such attacks.