Standing aman plants on vast tracts of lands at Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh district have severely been attacked by pest and stem rot disease making the farmers apprehensive about the output of the paddy this season.
Most of the pest and disease infested plants are getting yellowish and the pests are causing devastation to the adjoining fields, though the farmers made repeated attempts to control them by frequent spraying of pesticides.
Farmers allege that paddy fields in different areas under the upazila have seriously been affected by stem borer, locally called Mazra Poka, Brown Plant Hopper (Current Poka) and stem rot disease which wither the plants and make them yellow.
Upazila Agricultural Officer Syful Azam said: “Some 19, 400 hectares of land have been brought under aman cultivation in Dakatia, Malikabari, Uthura, Meduari, Bironbia, Rajoi areas with a target of 49,595 tonne rice.”
But the farmers are concerned as they might not get expected yield if immediate steps are not taken to overcome the adverse circumstances.
A number of farmers allege that substandard and low quality pesticides have flooded the markets. Consequently they are often deceived by purchasing such pesticides with little or no effect, causing financial losses.
Abdul Motaleb of Dhairapara village said his one out of three acres of paddy fields got damaged by Brown Plant Hopper and stem rot disease. Although he sprayed pesticides several times but could not control the intensity of pest attack.
Current poka suddenly attacks paddy fields in swarms, sucks plants fluid within a short time and turns them into yellowish straw, he also said.
Dhanu Mia of Nishida village under Sadar upazila said he cultivated the paddy on three acres of land this season. About 30 percent of his paddy fields have been affected by pest and disease. As a result paddy fields are turning yellowish. No ear of paddy has come out from the plants.
Expressing deep concern over the prevailing situation a good number of farmers urged the authority concerned to take effective measures so that they can get rid of the menace very soon.
Syful Azam said: “Adequate measures have been taken to combat spread of diseases and pest attack and an awareness campaign is going on urging farmers to contact local agriculture officials to overcome any problem.”