Nearly 300 acres of farmland in several low-lying areas of Sonatala upazila in Bogra have remained uncultivated for years due to prolonged waterlogging.
Hundreds of farmers are unable to cultivate their land on time because of inadequate drainage and obstructed water flow through canals, pushing many farming families into severe financial hardship and frustration.
A field-level investigation found inadequate drainage facilities in Mahishabari, Baluahat, Hariakandi, Nimerpara, Thakurpara, Shicharpara, Mahicharan, Lohagara, Pathanpara, Baragharia, Sujaitpur, Rashidpur, Patilakura, Dharmakul, Uttar Charpara, Sonakaniya and Jorgachha areas of the upazila.
The affected farmland was once known for bumper harvests of Aman and Boro rice, as well as various winter crops and vegetables. Now, however, many fields remain submerged for months. Even light rainfall can inundate the low-lying areas, while the lack of proper drainage prevents the water from receding.
Local residents said unplanned construction of houses and culverts, along with siltation and the gradual filling of canals and drainage channels, are the main causes of the prolonged waterlogging.
Alhaj Hafizar Rahman of Sonakaniya, Alhaj Tozammel Haque of Thakurpara and Taha Fakir of Charpara said farmers cannot even prepare their land for cultivation, let alone transplant rice seedlings. Although Aman transplantation is normally completed by this time of year, many fields are still submerged and covered with water hyacinth.
The farmers fear that if the situation continues, more farmland will remain fallow and the upazila could eventually face a food shortage.
Sonatala Upazila Agriculture Officer Sohrab Hossain said immediate steps should be taken to improve drainage in the affected areas and re-excavate canals that have become silted up.
“If the drainage system is restored, the 300 acres of farmland can once again be brought under cultivation,” he said, adding that this would help boost agricultural production and contribute significantly to food security in the area.