The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Pabna

IRRI-Boro crops in nine upazilas of Pabna are facing setback because of a drought like situation. In many areas, cracks have appeared on fields due to lack of water.

Farmers say they are facing an unusual situation like the one in 1979 when there was no rain for several months and no humidity in the air.

Because of scorching heat and lack of rain, fields become dry within two-three days of irrigation whereas the same fields remained wet for seven-eight days after irrigation in previous years, they said.

The dry soil needs more irrigation now, which they can not afford because of high price of diesel and load shedding, farmers in many areas in Pabna told this correspondent.

Unlike in previous years, there was no rain in northern districts in October this year, they said. Showers in October increases moisture content in soil, which prevents it from becoming extremely dry and heated in summer, some experienced farmers said.

In previous years, January and February witnessed shower once or twice, but there was none so far this year, they said.

Besides, the dry spell also brings in pest attack on IRRI-Boro fields, they said.

Sources at the local meteorological office said day temperature in the area rises up to 34.5 degree Celsius since the beginning of this month. It will continue to soar if there is no rain, which is unlikely in a fortnight, they said.

There is no rain and the spy remains clear as the westerly cloud-carrying winds skip Bangladesh and go to Nepal and Bhutan, they said.

In previous years, nor'westers started from mid- February but there is no sigh yet this year, they said.

Buds of the different fruits bearing trees are also drying up in different areas of the northern districts.

Farmer Amanullah in Narayanpur village in Pabna Sadar upazila said even a slight rainfall increases moisture in soil, which keeps irrigated lands wet for 10-15 days. But now the lands dry up in two-three days after irrigation.

Abdul Hamid of Akdanta village in Atghoria upazila said his IRRI-Boro lands need frequent irrigation but he can not afford it due to high price of diesel.

Deputy Director of Pabna Agriculture Extension Department (AED) Akhtaruzzaman Afgan told New Nation that Irri-Boro in northern districts would suffer a setback if there were no rain in two weeks.

He also said more over 67,600 hectares of land cultivated this year and the Pabna farmers used diesel their two third Boro lands. But the majorities' farmers do not purchase diesel due to high price. As a result, the several thousands of Boro cultivated lands is being dried up different places in the district.