Heavy rains for several days and prolonged waterlogging due to high tide have submerged about 25,000 hectares of cropland in Hatiya, Noakhali. Aus paddy, Aman seedbeds, seasonal vegetables, fruits, chillies and betel leaves have been damaged. About 80,000 farmers have been in financial crisis. According to the initial estimate of the Agriculture Department, the amount may be more than 30 crore taka.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, 21,520 hectares of Aus paddy, 1,920 hectares of Aman seedbeds, 950 hectares of seasonal vegetables, 58 hectares of fruit orchards, 4 hectares of chillies and 10 hectares of betel leaves have been damaged.
Kamal Uddin, a farmer from Charkailash village in Charking Union, said that 10 days ago, he had sown 60 kg of Aman seeds on 30 percent of his land. But the entire seedbed was submerged in water due to continuous rain. Later, he tried to drain the water by building high walls around it, but the seedbed could not be saved. After the water receded, the rice seedlings started to bend. Now he is thinking of sowing seeds again, which will require additional money.
Not only Kamal Uddin, farmers in 11 unions and one municipality of the upazila are also in the same situation. Most of the vegetable fields in Charking and Charishwar unions, which are known for vegetable production, have been submerged in water.
Farmer Haksab of Purba Gamchakhali village of Charishwar union said that he had cultivated jhinga on about an acre of land. But due to continuous rain for several days, the roots of the tree have rotted. Now the tree has to be uprooted from the land.
He said, “I have cultivated vegetables by taking a loan from an NGO and spending about 2 lakh taka. I have not yet got a harvest worth selling. On the contrary, more money has been spent on water drainage and labor. If I get government assistance, I will be able to start cultivation again, otherwise I will remain unemployed.”
Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Bashed Sabuj told Amar Desh, “Our deputy agricultural officers in each union are advising the affected farmers. The agricultural sector in Hatia has suffered the most damage due to the continuous rains. A detailed union-wise report of the damage has already been sent to the District Agriculture Office. We hope that the government allocation will be available for the affected farmers soon.”
