Rajshahi: Repeated storms and heavy rainfall from March to May have caused losses to 19,614 farmers across 16 districts in the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, crops on around 2,131 hectares of land have been damaged, with the estimated market value of the losses standing at about Tk 83.39 crore.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) reported that the damaged crops include potatoes on 916 hectares, bananas on 229 hectares, vegetables on 78 hectares, maize on 628 hectares, wheat on 102 hectares, sunflower on 10 hectares, onion seed on 7 hectares, and chili on 9 hectares. Over the past two days, nor’wester storms devastated areas of Tanore upazila in Rajshahi district, blowing away tin roofs and knocking down power poles and trees, disrupting communications and electricity supply.
Local farmer Jalil Mia reported that the paddy on his five bighas of land was completely destroyed, impacting his family’s main income source. Tanore Upazila Agriculture Officer Saifullah Ahmed inspected affected areas and noted that while paddy fields have lodged, increasing harvesting costs, the overall extent of the damage is being assessed.
Local experts have noted the increase in sudden disasters due to climate change and stressed the need for strengthening agricultural insurance and emergency rehabilitation programs. Affected farmers are urging the government for immediate assistance and agricultural incentives. Despite the challenges, the excessive rainfall provided relief by saving nearly 200,000 metric tons of diesel needed for irrigation, as mentioned by DAE Additional Director Rowshan Alam. He also noted that electricity consumption declined in areas using electrically operated irrigation systems.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha