The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Nearly 34,000 deep tube wells and 12,02,722 shallow tube wells will be required to ensure irrigation of the 45 lakh hectares of land to boost boro production to avert food crisis, report says. And to keep them running sufficient quantity of diesel will be needed. The government has allocated taka 750 crore as diesel subsidy for the farmers so that the production costs remains within means. Another important thing is the availability of electricity.

From another report, the country's power plants are generating 3400 megawatts of electricity, a shortfall of about 1600 megawatts. The present demand is over 4000 MW and it will increase to over 5000 MW for irrigating the boro lands. Out of total tube wells, electricity is required for 22500 tube wells and diesel for 838000. As the current generation of electricity is short of demand, the task of unabated supply thereof for irrigation purpose will surely be hard, if not at all impossible.

On the other hand, in the month of March, three lakh metric tonnes of urea will be needed whereas the present stock is 1.50 lakh metric tonnes only. The remainder will have to be imported. In case of failure to import in time, the boro target may not be achieved. The total demand of fertiliser in the country is 38.44 metric tonnes. It includes 28.18 lakh metric tonnes urea, 4.76 lakh metric tonnes TSP, 2.50 lakh metric tonnes DAP and three lakh metric tonnes of MOP.

The DAE's current target of food production in the country is 3.42 crore metric tonnes against the annual demand of three crore m.t. The net receipts after 10 percent deduction on account of poultry food, seeds and wastage will remain just over three crore metric tonnes. That too depends on achievement of boro output. The total target of food grains includes 22,15,000 metric tonnes of aus, 1,30,45,000 tonnes of amon, 1,75,00,000 metric tonnes of boro and 14,40,000 metric tonnes of wheat and maize. As the production appears slightly over annual demand, the government is required to import over two million metric tonnes. The necessity has become acute in view of the amon production's setback due to back-to-back floods and 15/11 hurricane.

During the fiscal 2006-07, the total food production in the country was 330.84 lakh metric tonnes according to DAE while 272.65 lakh metric tonnes according to BBS.