Pest attack on Aman fields worries Baufal farmers

Melanitis leda, locally known as leda poka, has attacked Aman fields in different areas under Baufal upazila of the district, much to the worry of farmers.

Some of the farmers have started harvesting half ripe paddy and taking it to home while others are using pesticides to check the pest attack.

Agriculture experts are blaming the adverse effects of climate change, including this year's heavy rains for the pest attack.

Mojibur Fakir, a farmer of Mathbaria village in the upazila, said he has cultivated Eri-52 variety of Aman paddy on about nine acres of land this year.

He added that the yield has also been good. The field is now covered with half ripe paddy.

But farmers are now very worried as leda poka has attacked Aman fields, said Mojibur.

Due to the pest attack, he started harvesting half ripe paddy and taking it to home, said Mojibur.

Bashar Hawlader, a farmer from Ghucharakathi village, said about seven acres of Aman paddy had been attacked by the pest.

Rahim Mridha, a farmer of Dhandi village, said, "This time the yield of paddy has been good and the market price is also relatively good, but the paddy of my 1.50 acres of land has been destroyed due to the pest attack." 

Finding no other alternative, he is now spraying pesticide on the paddy field to control the pest attack.

This pest has attacked paddy on his two acres of land, said Jahangir Khan of Mathbaria village.

He is now spraying pesticide on the paddy but it is not working, said Jahangit, adding that this year, heavy rains triggered waterlogging in the fields. So, the paddy fields could not dry up at night. Due to this, the pest hides at the base of the paddy during the daytime and cuts the sheaf at night.

Patuakhali Science and Technology University`s Professor of entomology department Md Atiqur Rahman said the attack of this pest is more severe this year due to wet weather.

He further added that a pest can lay 200 to 300 eggs. A pair of this pest is enough to destroy a cropland.

Contacted, Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Moniruzzaman said about 37,000 hectares of land in Baufal have been brought under Aman cultivation this year.

He further added that said field level officials have continued providing necessary advice to the farmers including distribution of leaflets.

Farmers have also been requested to report the condition of the field round the clock, said the officer.