Boro farmers agitate for smooth power supply
Farmers brought out a procession at Aghoria upazila headquarters on Friday demanding uninterrupted power supply for irrigation of their boro fields.
Several hundred people, including power pump owners joined the demonstration led by local unit of the ruling Awami League.
Farmers alleged they cannot supply water to their fields due to erratic electricity supply and boro plants on around eight thousands hectares of land have turned yellowish.
“Boro fields in the upazila are drying up as farmers cannot operate pumps even for two hours at night for lack of electricity,” said Md Ashraful Alam, one of the agitating farmers.
“We have informed the REB (Rural Electrification Board) officials of the matter several times, but to effect,” the farmers alleged. They urged the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to improve the situation. Otherwise, they said boro cultivation in the upazila will face a setback
Sources in the Agriculture Extension Department (AED) said a total of 7,020 hectares of lands have been brought under boro cultivation in Atghoria upazila. Farmers cannot irrigate their boro fields properly due to power crisis, sources added.
After parading Atghoria-Chatmohar road, the farmers held a rally at upazila bazar area which was addressed, among others, by upazila AL General Secretary Shahidul Islam Ratan, Organising Secretary Mohaimanul Islam and upazila BNP leader Baten. The speakers demanded smooth power supply in the upazila so that the farmers can properly irrigate their boro fields.
The agitating farmers said, “We did not get expected boro yield last year due to irrigation problem caused by power crises. We may face the same fate this year.”
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments