Aman paddy cultivation in Majbari and other villages in Sharikandi upazila of Bogra district has suffered a setback as farmers have been facing difficulties in irrigating the land since July for lack of electricity.
ASM Mostafizur Rahman, Assistant General Manager (AGM) Palli Bidyut Samiti, Shariakandi admitted the problem saying at least 15 transformers were stolen from several irrigation projects  of the upazila during last two months. “According to rules the subscribers have to install the transformers on their own cost and the samiti will provide the irrigation project with required amount of power,” he said.
Farmers said Aman paddy on more than 1,000 bighs of land in several villages, including Majbari and  Nayapara, is being damaged  for necessary irrigation.  On an average, 20 maunds of paddy is produced on one bigha of land in the area.
Chani Das Kundu, Deputy Director (DD) of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Bogra, said that the department will try to solve the problems, but the Palli Bidyut Samiti is yet to arrange any transformer.
Moklasur Rahman, a farmer of Majbari Village, said he cultivated Aman on seven bighas of land with an expenditure of Tk 50,000 aiming to produce 140 monds Aman Paddy.
“Now, it seems quite impossible to produce half the quantity of  target,” said Moklasure Rahman.
Aizer Parmanik, another farmer, said he cultivated four bighs spending Tk9,000, but he is apprehending that his investment likely to be spoiled  for irrigation crisis.
Local people roughly estimated that farmers of the villages have to count at least Tk 5 crores in production losses.