Joynal Abedin Siam:

The nuisance of rats in different Aman paddy fields of Tarash upazila in Sirajganj district breaches hope of the farmers.

Local farmers said that, it is the peak time to create grains of Aman paddy. But the nuisance of rats and insects has suddenly increased in the fields that breach hope.

Rats in different groups are cutting down trees in the dark of night. Again, many trees are drying up due to the attack of leaf-wrapping insects.

On the spot, from Sunday morning to afternoon, it was seen that the ears of rice in almost all the fields have started to appear. The rice plants are also quite fresh and healthy.

But in many fields, paddy plants have been found dead. The plants have died and withered because rats have cut off the roots of the paddy plants.

Some disappointed farmers in Desigram village said that, we don’t know how the rats are driven away. However, we tried to drive away the rats by various sounds to make them scare, but to no effect. We also tried to scare away rats by hanging colored paper on bamboo poles in the fields. But it does not work too.

People from the agricultural office say that, they should poison the fields to kill rats, but they do not want to accept the poison.

Farmers including Asadul Islam of Gonta village, Sihab Sarkar of Paril village, Ishahak Ali of Lauta village, Sumon Ahmed of Desigram village, Israfil Hossain of Majh Dakshina village, Hashem Ali of Madhainagar village, Sagar Hossain of Gurma village, Ayub Ali of Kasta village, Masud Rana of Baruhas village, Faruk Ahmed of Palashi village and Bulbul Hossain of Bastu village said that, many large rats invade the fields at night. The paddy plants have just started to bear grains. At this time, rats have entered the field and are cutting off the roots of the paddy plants. As a result, the plants are falling down and dying. If the rats are not controlled now, it will not be possible to harvest the crops to home.

Farmers Sultan Mahmud of Madh Dakshina village in Desigram union of the upazila and Sagar Hossain of Gurma village said, “We have put all our efforts into this crop for a good yield. But the lands are almost empty due to the attack of rats and insects. We have informed the upazila agriculture office about this, we did not get any response so far. So we are in fear of incurring huge losses.”

Upazila agriculture officer Sharmistha Sen Gupta said, “Monitoring is going on at the field level and farmers are being advised to use pesticides quickly. We are carrying out rat control campaign. Along with this, instructions are being given by conducting yard meetings after diagnosing the disease.”

She also said, “The rat infestation has increased. However, the assistant agricultural officers in each area are doing extensive work. We are also regularly advising farmers. Rat traps, bamboo traps and regular maintenance of the fields should be installed. Even then, farmers should maintain contact with the agricultural officers. We are also keeping a regular check.”