• Growers fear to incur huge losses

Chowhali Correspondent:

Hundreds of bighas of peanut fields in the char area of ​​Sirajganj district have been submerged due to sudden rising of water level in the Jamuna River. The affected farmers are trying to harvest unripe almonds.

During a spot visit to Santosha Char of Sthal Union under Chowhali Upazila of the district, this correspondent found that, the farmers were going into the water to harvest unripe groundnuts. Many affected farmers are in fear of facing losses due to rising of water in the river.

The Chowhali Upazila Agriculture Office and farmers said that, “Like last year, many farmers cultivated almonds in the newly reborn chars of Chowhali Upazila, which were devastated by the Jamuna River. Almonds were cultivated on about 2200 hectares of land in Santosha, Kochgram, Basantapur, Malipara, Chhoto Chowhali-Boro Chowhali, Teghuri, Sthal Char and Langalmura of Sthal Union, Dattakandi, Chhol, Umarpur, Khashkaulia, Ghorjan, Sadia Chandpur, Paschim Char areas of Khashpukhuria Unions. They took preparation to harvest peanuts shortly. But, the almond fields in the low-lying areas of the char have gone into water due to rising of water. It may cause of damage about 1900 tonnes of almonds from more than two hundred hectares of land in the southern and western areas.

Abu Shyama, Lokman Hossain, Chanowar Hossain, Mosched Ali and Joynal Hossain of Santosha Char said that, they have cultivated groundnuts on their lands observing a bumper yield last year. However, many lands in their area have been destroyed by waterlogging. As a result, harvesters have to go waist-deep in water to pick unripe almonds. They demanded timely distribution of agricultural incentives to overcome the losses.

Meanwhile, in Enayetpur on the west bank of the Jamuna, it can be seen that all members of the farmer family, including women and children, are picking almonds on the banks of the river due to the land being submerged in water. Again, in some places, they were seen drying almonds under the sun. It is feared that this will cause huge loss.

Hasan Ali, local Union Parishad member of Santosha village said, the dreams of farmers have been submerged in water, many farmers will face loss this year due to the destruction and submergence of almond fields. We demand help of the government for affected farmers.

Abuhuraiya, the agricultural officer of the Sthal Union of Chowhali Upazila, said, I visited the area after receiving the news of the submergence of almond fields in the char area of ​​​​Jamuna. Many farmer families have been facing loss after picking unripe almonds. A list of affected farmers is being made and government assistance will be provided when it arrives. In addition, senior officials have already been informed for special incentives.