The spiraling prices of fuel oil diesel and fertilisers have created a growing concern among the farmers in Sylhet and Netrakona districts during the ongoing Aman cultivation period.
According to farmers, agricultural fields have dried up due to inadequate rainfall and they are using a diesel-run machine to complete the transplantation work of the Aman seedlings. The situation has compelled them to count extra farming costs.
Our Sylhet correspondent says: The Aman farmers are in trouble due to increased price of diesel and lack of water in many areas of the district this season.
Visiting some areas it has been seen that many farmers have now dropped Aman farming as the season is about to end with dried up land amid a drought-like situation.
Many farmers are in trouble with increased prices of diesel, fertilisers and higher labour cost this time. Especially they expect rain now, otherwise irrigation cost through the power pump would be a costly matter.
However, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) officials claimed the season's target could be achieved.
According to the DAE, a total of 208,500 hectares of land had so far been brought under T-Aman farming in the region including 77,275 hectares in Sylhet, 62,105 hectares in Moulvibazar, 45,965 hectares in Habiganj and 23,155 hectares in Sunamganj. It is just 52 per cent of the targeted 403,280 hectares.
However, farming has been delayed to some extent this season due to devastating floods. But now many areas are suffering a drought-like situation. The farming would continue until mid-September.
Anwar Mia, a farmer of Biswambharpur upazila, said, "I get 30 to 40 maunds of paddy from one hectare normally. Power tiller rent would be Tk 1,000 against last year's Tk600 while daily wage of a labourer will be Tk 600 against last year's Tk400."
He further said, "Per liter diesel is Tk120 while it was Tk68 last year. Besides, irrigation by a rented power pump would cost some money; thus per hectare cost would total Tk45,000 against last year's Tk 30,000".
"It would be a risky venture with increased production cost. Any calamity may cause more loss", he added.
Abdul Hasib, a farmer of village Baushi in Golapganj upazila of Sylhet said, "Half of my land would remain arable as I won't cultivate Aman this season due to high cost of everything."
Abdus Sabur, another farmer of Dakshin Surma, said, "Just two weeks ago, I bought BR 87 seed for Tk800 per sack whereas its government price is Tk400 only. Some of the varieties like BR 94, 95, 22, 32 etc are in good demand in addition to Bina dhan 49".
DAE Deputy Director, Sunamganj Bimol Chandra Shome said, "Due to floods the farming was delayed at the start of the season. But now we are giving the farmers advice of irrigation due to a drought-like situation".
"However, much expected light rains may help farming. A hike in diesel price won't hit the farming", he added.
Our Netrakaona Correspondent reports: After the devastating flashflood in May-June, the region is also witnessing a drought now hitting hard the Aman farmers.
According to farmers, load-shedding and the increasing price of fuel and fertiliser have mounted their sufferings as they are losing buying ability.
Moreover, the lands went dry for scanty rainfall. For these, in many places, farmers are irrigating the paddy fields with shallow machine or electric motors which increase their production costs.
Milan Mia, a farmer in Barhatta Sadar Union said, "The increase in the price of fertiliser and fuel oil, the wages of workers have also increased. Field after field has dried up due to continuous drought and intense heat of the sun. All in all, there has been a significant increase in cost of Aman cultivation".
Rahim Uddin, another farmer at the same village of the district, said he has planned to cultivate T-Aman paddy on his 12 bighas of land. But he could plant only six bighas of land as the lands went dry for scanty rainfall. He prepared seedbeds for transplantation but half of his seedbeds have been damaged due to the heat wave. He has to buy additional saplings and use a diesel-run machine to complete the transplantation.