Salinity taking toll on aman
Aman plants at a field in Chapri village under Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali district has discoloured due to adverse effect of salinity caused by tidal surge as the area saw poor rainfall this season. Photo: STAR
Aman paddy plants in different areas under Kalapara upazila in the district are turning brownish due to the impact of salinity, much to the worry of farmers. Farmers of Latachaplee, Chakamoiya, Dhulashar and Nilganj unions under Kalapara upazila have complained of such problems while the Department of Agriculture Extension identified over 100 acres of aman paddy lands in the upazila. During a visit to the area on Monday, this correspondent saw that colour of most crop fields is changing. "I planted Aman paddy on seven acres of land 20 days ago but most of the plants are becoming brown due to bad effect of salty water. I went to local agriculture office for advice to solve the problem but they could not give any fruitful suggestions," said Idris Akon, a farmer of Chaplee village. Humayun Kabir, another farmer of the same village, said, "Aman paddy on my five acres of land is turning brown. We are frustrated about aman production as salinity increased on our lands." Ratan Sharif, a farmer of the same area, said, "Salty water from nearby rivers and canals flooded our agriculture fields in every full moon and new moon as flood control embankment that was damaged during cyclone Sidr is yet to be repaired. We fear losing our aman paddy this year." Mojibur Rahman, chairman of Chakamoiya Union Parishad, said frustration is spreading among local farmers due to increasing salinity in their aman fields. "We have identified over 100 cares of aman paddy lands that are already affected as scanty rainfall this year increased salinity on agriculture lands. If it rains heavily, salinity in the land will be reduced and the problem will be solved," said Niruttam Kumar Sarker, Kalapara upazila agriculture extension officer. "I informed my higher authority of the matter," he added.
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