Aila-Hit Dakope Upazila of Khulna
Salinity damages seedlings of irri, boro paddy
Photo: STAR
Paddy plants grown in seedbeds are gradually withering under the adverse impact of climate change and lack of necessary irrigation facilities in Aila affected Dakope upazila of Khulna district. Most of the lands in several unions of the upazila have been under the influence of saline water for the last two years and it badly hampers growth of irri and boro paddy plants. Upazila agriculture officials suggested the farmers to use sweet water stored in the temporary reservoirs for watering the withered plants but it has proved too ineffective to serve the purpose. Consequently, farmers of Baruikhali, Khona, Khatail, Gorhkati, Harintana and Kalishganj villages of Pankhali union are losing the hope to reach the production target this season. Because, severe cold, crisis of sweet water and salinity are damaging the seedlings of vast lands just at the onset of irri and boro cultivation. Expressing grave concern over the situation, farmers Kumaresh Biswas, Chinmoy Biswas and Halim Sheikh of Chalna union said all the efforts to save seedlings have failed as their lands always remain under the influence of salinity while severe cold and lack of irrigation facilities add to the problem. Increase in salinity in the rivers has made it quite impossible to use irrigation facilities in the paddy lands, said Sumongal Roy of Laudob village. Two hundred and fifty hectares of land in Bajua, Kailashganj, Laudob, Dakope, Banishanta, Tildanga and Pankhali unions were targeted for Irri and boro cultivation this year, they said. "Severe cold and crisis of irrigation water have created serious problem for saving plants grown in seedlings. Besides, abnormal rise in salinity is likely to affect production," said Dakope Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Nazrul Islam. Agriculture department will provide necessary support to farmers to produce Irri and boro paddy overcoming the problems, he said.
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