Crop protection dam work in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj is progressing at a snail’s pace, leaving farmers worried over the protection of Boro paddy. Although one month has elapsed since the start of the work the members of the Project Implementation Committees (PICs) for 86 dams in seven haors ihave not received the first installment of funds yet. According to Dharmapasha upazila administration, seven haors—Chandra Sonar Thal, Joydhana, Sonamorol, Kailani, Joydhana (2), Gurma, and Rui Beel—fall under the jurisdiction of the Sunamganj Water Development Board. The authorities allocated an amount of Tk 19.15 crore for the 86 crop protection dam projects in these haors. The members of the PICs for these 86 projects are still waiting for the first installment of funds. According to the policy, the construction and repairs of the dams were supposed to begin on December 15 last with the work scheduled to be completed by February 28. The work was inaugurated on December 15 but due to delayed water drainage from the haors, work began in the first week of January. The funds for the dam work are supposed to be distributed in four installments through cheques. As per the guidelines, 25% of the allocation is meant to be given as an advance before the work begins. Despite the passage of over a month, the PICs have not received any funds yet. Several farmers from the haor areas expressed concern saying that due to delays in forming the PICs and other preparatory work the dam construction started late, and the work is progressing slowly, putting their Boro crops at risk. On a field visit on Monday last, the correspondent found that work of at least ten crop protection dams in Chandra Sonar Thal and Rui Beel haors was moving at a slow pace. Read: Ballooning number of crop protection dams in Sunamganj haor region raises concern Soil was piled up in some areas, and only five to seven workers were present at each site. Salah Uddin, president of the project implementation committee for the 33rd dam in Chandra Sonar Thal, said that their dam, with a length of 990 meters, has been allocated over Tk 23.33 lakh. "We began the work on time, but we were supposed to receive 25% of the allocated amount before starting the work, however we haven't received a single taka yet. We are facing significant challenges and delays in completing the work. I've heard that the delay is due to the absence of the UNO, but we urgently need the first installment to continue the work," he added. Jahangir Alam, an assistant engineer in charge of overseeing the dam work, said the first installment of the funds has already been deposited in the bank. However, the delay in disbursing funds has been hampering the progress of the work, he said. Acting UNO and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Aliduzzaman said that the previous UNO was transferred on December 31, and a new UNO has been appointed.. “We hope the issue will be resolved in a few days," he said. Mamun Howlader, executive engineer of the Water Development Board in the district, said that he spoke to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) about the matter. Read more: Parts of Chandpur town protection dam collapse DC Mohammad Ilias Mia assured that the PICs would receive their first installment of funds within two to three days, he said. Crop protection dams are built to protect crops from early floods and landslides. Haors are wetland ecosystems found in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. Sunamganj district is famous for its numerous haors.

Farmers in Shailkupa Upazila of Jhenaidah district are facing a severe shortage of chemical fertilisers during the peak onion cultivation season. The fertiliser is not available from dealers as expected, and what is available in the open market is being sold at higher prices. This has left many farmers worried about their crops, fearing they could incur financial losses without access to the necessary fertilisers. Farmers across the upazila are complaining that they cannot get the fertiliser they need from the local dealers. Large influx of migratory birds enhances scenic charm of Ramrai Dighi in Thakurgaon Shariful Islam, a farmer from Dhaora village, has planted onions on 5 bighas of land and is concerned that the shortage of fertiliser may ruin his harvest. "If I can't apply fertiliser on time, I could lose all my capital," he said. Like many other farmers, Shariful has been forced to buy fertiliser from the open market at high price. Farmer Rafiqul Islam said, "When we go to the dealer to get fertiliser at the government-set price, the dealer refuses, claiming they don't have any." "But when we go to the open market, we can find fertiliser, but the price is Tk 300 to 400 higher per sack," he added. Record Aman harvest, yet rice prices soar: Who's to blame? Ayub Hossain, another farmer from Madandanga village, said "I have planted onions on 2 bighas of land this season, nurturing regularly in the hope of a good harvest. But I fear a crop failure if I can't apply fertiliser in time. If I lose my onions, I will lose all my investment." Other farmers, like Abul Hossain, face similar challenges. "I need 6 bags of fertiliser, but I have to stand in line all day to get just one bag," he said. Another farmer, Ismail, said, "If I can't give fertiliser on time, the onion yield won't be good. I'll lose my investment, and if that happens, I won't cultivate onions next year." Farmers in the region have further alleged that the dealers appointed at the union level do not operate from their designated locations. Instead, they have set up shops in municipal areas, selling fertiliser at prices higher than the rates set by the government. This has led to widespread frustration among farmers, especially during the peak onion planting season. They are now demanding a prompt solution to the ongoing fertiliser crisis. Sunamganj villagers haunted by river erosion blamed on illegal soil cutting Dealers, however, claimed that the supply is insufficient to meet the high demand. Shailkupa Upazila Agriculture Officer Arifuzzaman said that the shortage was partly due to farmers storing fertiliser in their homes, which has further limited availability. He assured that efforts are being made to distribute fertiliser to all farmers, and additional guidance is being given for better yields. This season, the target area for onion cultivation in Shailkupa is 12,000 hectares, with a demand for 8,000 metric tons of fertiliser, including urea, TSP, and DOP. However, the available supply has not been enough to meet these needs, leaving many farmers frustrated and worried about their crops.  

Farmers in Jagannathpur upazila of Sunamganj district are struggling to cultivate Boro paddy due to waterlogging caused by a newly built road. More than a hundred farming families in Rouyail and Alampur villages are now worried about their crops. A complaint was filed with the Jagannathpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer on Thursday, highlighting the issue. According to the complaint, the water in Parua Haor, located in Rouyail village of Raniganj union, has not drained properly. This problem arose after the construction of the Balisree-Panachatal road by the Rouyail Hilalpur Water Management Cooperative Society Limited, a local cooperative society under the LGED, last year. During construction, no drainage provisions were made, leaving the haor waterlogged. Read: Bumper Boro paddy yield in Khulna’s saline land brings joy to farmers Zakir Hossain Jamal, a farmer from Rouyail village, said, "This is the ideal time for Boro cultivation, but the water in the haor is still knee-deep, making it impossible to plant paddy sapling. Farmers in both Rouyail and Alampur villages are extremely concerned about the Boro crop." Another farmer, Samuj Mia, explained, "The road was built without a drainage path, so the water is stuck. We have contacted the Water Management Cooperative Society many times but received no solution, which led us to file this complaint." Motaher Ali Nunu, General Manager of Rouyail Hilalpur Water Management Cooperative Society, said that the area where a culvert was planned to drain the water has now dried up. However, he assured farmers that the company is committed to supporting them in any efforts to resolve the issue. Read more: Govt to procure 17 lakh tonnes Boro paddy, rice Md. Barkat Ullah, Jagannathpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said that the Upazila LGED has been instructed to take immediate action. Local LGED official Sohbar Hossain added, "We are seriously looking into the matter."

In the Gobindapur area of Ambikapur union, Sadar upazila, Faridpur district, Lovely Akter and Imtiaz Mollah have transformed their fortunes and become a beacon of success in onion seed farming, locally referred to as “black gold”. Starting with just two bighas of land, the couple has expanded their cultivation to 40 bighas, witnessing substantial economic growth that allowed them to construct a multi-storey building and continually invest in new land. The duo, parents to a tenth grader and a fourth grader, embarked on this venture after observing the lucrative outcome of onion seed cultivation within their family post-marriage. After her marriage, she found that some family members among her in-laws were involved in onion seed cultivation and decided to join along with her husband in this endeavor. They earned good money in the first year and haven't looked back since, Lovely shared. Onion prices fall by Tk30 per kg as seasonal supply rises in market

Mango farmers in Chapainawabganj district are bracing for potential losses this season, with significantly fewer buds observed on trees, particularly affecting larger trees amid challenging weather conditions. This year's reduced bud bloom could mark the season as a mango-off year, a phenomenon where production alternates annually between high and low yields due to natural growth cycles and external factors. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources indicate that cold weather is to blame for the decreased number of mango buds in the district. However, there is optimism that warmer temperatures could encourage more buds to bloom. Off-season Gourmoti mangoes could be profitable for Thakurgaon The region, known for its extensive mango orchards spanning 37,604 hectares, produced 443,625 metric tonnes of mangoes last year. Mango bud formation typically occurs from early Magh to mid-Falgun, but this year's expected bloom has been hampered by the prevailing cold. Mango farmer Abdur Rakib from Chapainawabganj municipality notes that diligent tree care can yield better bud production, even in an off year. Yet, the cost of cultivation might outweigh profits due to the reduced number of buds. Rakib also highlights the risk of natural calamities, which could further impact growers already facing low bud counts.

Farmers in the Chapainawabganj district are poised to surpass their production targets for boro rice this year, aiming to harvest 253,780 metric tonnes, thanks to a surge in interest spurred by last season's bumper yield. The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has outlined an ambitious plan to cultivate boro rice across 52,200 hectares of land. The cultivation efforts are distributed across various upazilas, with 13,220 hectares in Sadar, 15,720 in Gomastapur, 6,250 in Bholahat, 9,680 in Nachole, and 7,330 hectares in Shibganj. Farmers like Kawsar Ali from Sadar upazila are busy preparing their fields and sowing boro seeds. Ali, who has dedicated eight bighas of land to boro cultivation, noted the rising costs of production, attributing them to increased labor and irrigation expenses. Similarly, Mayez Uddin pointed out the hike in land plowing costs from Tk 300 to Tk 350, alongside rising labor charges. Govt to provide Tk 108 crore as incentive to boost Boro production: Ministry Paddy workers, enduring the winter chill to plant boro, like Madan, highlighted that the current rate of Tk 500 for planting helps cover their household expenses despite the hard work. Dr. Palash Sarkar, Deputy Director of DAE, remains optimistic about this year's prospects. He mentioned the widespread adoption of the Ufsi boro variety, ensuring there's no shortage of seeds or fertilizers. Furthermore, irrigation has been smooth due to reliable power supply, and farmers have received all necessary guidance from agricultural officials. With these favorable conditions, Dr. Sarkar anticipates that the boro rice production target will not only be met but exceeded, signaling a successful and productive season ahead for the farmers of Chapainawabganj. Half of Boro paddy procurement target not achieved yet, Food Minister tells JS

In Faridpur, a significant increase in mustard cultivation has been reported, with the area under mustard crops expanding by over 2,000 hectares from the previous season. This expansion anticipates a high-yield output valued at an impressive Tk 151.38 crore. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Faridpur has noted that mustard now spans 14,842 hectares, targeting a yield of 1,360 kg per hectare. Given the current market rate, which surpasses Tk 3,000 per maund, the district's projected earnings are substantial. Govt initiative to reduce edible oil imports: Jashore’s mustard farmers anticipate exceptional harvest Anwar Hossain, the Agriculture Officer of Faridpur Sadar upazila, attributes this growth to the rising prices of edible oils. He observed that mustard cultivation has become a preferred choice in nearly all fields across the district’s nine upazilas. “Farmers are increasingly turning to mustard due to its lower maintenance, availability of resources like fertilizers and medicines, and encouraging government policies,” said Hossain. The district has seen the cultivation of various mustard varieties, including BARI-14, 15, 16, 17, Bina-4, 8, 9, and Tori-7. This diversification, coupled with the growing demand for pure mustard oil, has led farmers to focus on high-yielding strains. Local farmers, Ibrahim Mollah and Rahim Matabbar from Ambikapur, highlighted the advice from the Department of Agriculture to plant an additional crop before the boro paddy season. This strategy maximizes the use of fields and aligns with the mustard’s shorter growth period of just 80-90 days. Farmers expect bumper mustard yield in Khulna The cost of cultivating mustard ranges from Tk 7,000 to Tk 8,000 per bigha, with the potential to yield 5-6 maunds of seeds per bigha, especially under favorable weather conditions. This efficient production cycle and promising market rates are driving Faridpur’s agricultural sector towards a robust mustard season.

Kurigram district in Bangladesh is currently grappling with a mild cold wave and dense fog, posing significant threats to local agriculture. Farmers, particularly those cultivating boro rice, are increasingly concerned about the potential damage to seedbeds and crop fields due to the harsh weather. Despite efforts such as applying pesticides and covering seedbeds with polythene, farmers remain worried. Anisur Rahman, a farmer from Bhogdanga in Sadar upazila, reported that although his boro seedlings are ready for planting, the cold and fog have hindered this process. Mantaj Ali, another local farmer, voiced concerns over his potato field, which is now completely enveloped in fog. Subal Chandra, an officer at the Kurigram Weather Observatory Centre, noted that the temperature dropped to 12.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and similar conditions are expected to persist for the next few days. He also warned of a cold wave hitting the district by the end of the month. Rainfall threatens mustard crop in Jashore, farmers fear losses Biplab Kumar Mohonta, deputy director of the Kurigram Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), explained that the cold weather has delayed boro plantation of 6,500 hectares of seedbeds. He cautioned that temperatures below 13 degrees Celsius could cause seedbed leaves to turn yellow. The DAE has already advised farmers to take additional measures to protect their seedbeds from damage.

In Chapainawabganj district, the abundant harvest of summer onions and favorable market prices have delighted local farmers. The successful cultivation of the N-53 variety has made this season particularly profitable. The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) played a pivotal role in this success. They provided farmers with essential resources, including 1 kg of N-53 onion seeds, 20 kg of fertilizers (MoP and DAP), pesticides, and Tk 2,800 in cash for labor costs per bigha of land. Habiganj admin sets limits on onions purchase by retailers and consumers This comprehensive support was part of a government initiative benefiting 4,500 farmers. Additionally, the DAE offered crucial training, which contributed to the bumper yield. During a visit to Ghorapakhia in the Sadar upazila, the scene was one of industriousness, with farmers diligently harvesting their crops. Sayem Ali, a local farmer, shared his experience: "I've grown onions before, but the N-53 variety has brought an unprecedented yield. I'm expecting to harvest 108 maunds per bigha and, with favorable weather, even 120 maunds." He further noted the profitable market prices, with one maund selling for Tk 2,200. Despite investing Tk 30,000 of his own funds, the returns have been encouraging. Sayem intends to continue with N-53 cultivation, irrespective of government incentives. Govt directs to intensify field-level monitoring on onion prices

Over 500 farmers of several villages in Rupsa upazila under Khulna district are living amid fear of losing their cropland as no initiative has been taken in the last three years to construct the broken Shreerampur embankment to protect their land. Farmers said there is around 525 hectares of croplands in Shreerampur char and over 500 farmers cultivate vegetables, rice and fruits on the fertile land three times a year. Read: Teesta riverbank erosion in Lalmonirhat: Fear of losing homes grips locals But three years ago about 1.5 km of the embankment from Shreerampur Palpara to Idris Jamaddar’s brick kiln collapsed due to erosion by the Rupsha River, leaving the cropland under threat. Local MP Abdus Salam Murshedi took an initiative to solve the problem but no visible progress was made in the construction of embankment due to some complexities that created resentment among the local people. Read: River erosion washes away road in Sunamganj;  thousands  suffer AHM Kamal, a farmer of the upazila who has land in Sreerampur char, said “We have been cultivating this land for generations. After meeting the region’s demand the rest of the crops are exported. We are in a great anxiety because of the river erosion which started three years ago. We are always afraid that the river water would enter the cropland and damage our crops. So I urge Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and local MP Abdus Salam Murshedi to save the farmers of the area by constructing an embankment as soon as possible.” Read: Rising river waters trigger flooding, erosion concerns in Kurigram Md Jahangir Hosen Mukul, a member of Khulna district Awami League, said, “ this dam has a great significance in the life of the farmers of this area. If the embankment collapses due to erosion, thousands of people will be affected .Croplands will be destroyed and there will be shortage of food. So I think it is very important to construct this embankment.