Submerged seedbeds trigger seedling crisis

Farmers of six upazilas in Feni district and two upazilas of Noakhali district have been facing a serious crisis of submerged seedbeds.

They claim that a huge tract of land could not be cultivated due to the low-lying areas being waterlogged by recent monsoon rain.

Dr Abul Hossian, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Noakhali, recently told The Independent that around 521 seedbeds were prepared to plant seedlings this year. At present, some areas in Subarnachar and Hatiya still remained waterlogged and the farmers were worrying about timely planting of boro seedlings, he added.

Joynal Abedin, a farmer of Subarnachar upazila, said no dry place could be found to plant boro seedlings.

Another farmer, Solaman, said they did not get any technical help from the authorities to carry on agricultural activities. It takes a long time water to recede from the low-lying areas and hence the planting of seedlings often get delayed.

Khaled Mehadi, deputy director of the DAE in Feni, said most farmers there depend on seedlings from Noakhali because of their high quality and good production. "A seedling crisis is prevailing due to waterlogged seedbeds. Monsoon rain is active for the problem," he added.

 

Submerged seedbeds trigger seedling crisis

Farmers of six upazilas in Feni district and two upazilas of Noakhali district have been facing a serious crisis of submerged seedbeds. They claim that a huge tract of land could not be cultivated due to the low-lying areas being waterlogged by recent monsoon rain. Dr Abul Hossian, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Noakhali, recently told The Independent that around 521 seedbeds were prepared to plant seedlings this year. At present, some areas in Subarnachar and Hatiya still remained waterlogged and the farmers were worrying about timely planting of boro seedlings, he added. Joynal Abedin, a farmer of Subarnachar upazila, said no dry place could be found to plant boro seedlings. Another farmer, Solaman, said they did not get any technical help from the authorities to carry on agricultural activities. It takes a long time water to recede from the low-lying areas and hence the planting of seedlings often get delayed. Khaled Mehadi, deputy director of the DAE in Feni, said most farmers there depend on seedlings from Noakhali because of their high quality and good production. A seedling crisis is prevailing due to waterlogged seedbeds. Monsoon rain is active for the problem, he added.