In the Ishwardi and Atgharia upazilas of Pabna, renowned for their production of beans and other valuable vegetable varieties, the agriculture sector has faced a substantial setback. Approximately four-fifths of Pabna's total bean output comes from these areas. However, recent severe weather events have led to the complete destruction of bean crops across approximately 910 hectares. Agriculture officials have noted a stark contrast from the previous season, where five to seven maunds of beans per bigha were harvested, to the current situation where not even one kilogram of beans can be obtained from the same land area.
Regions such as Muladuli, Atghariapara, Baghachla, Sheikhpara, Muladuli Madhyapara, and Goalbathan in the Muladuli union of Ishwardi upazila, known for their early-variety bean plantations, have been particularly affected. Despite the farmers' investment in fertilizers and seeds for the care of their bean plants, continuous rainfall has shattered their aspirations for a profitable harvest. The cultivation of early-variety beans, which began around 14 years ago, was initially seen as a lucrative venture due to its potential for high profits before the winter season. However, this year's unexpected and consecutive heavy rainfall in August and September has submerged most early-variety bean fields, leading to widespread crop failure.
Farmers have reported extensive damage to their crops, with plants' roots rotting and leaves turning yellow despite efforts to salvage the situation with pesticides and fertilizers. The scarcity of beans has driven prices up to Tk 300 per kilogram, yet availability remains low due to the crop destruction. The financial toll on the farmers has been heavy, with many like Abul Hashem and Abdul Haque experiencing total loss of their crops and facing severe financial distress. The lack of adequate drainage systems has been cited as a contributing factor to the water-logging and resultant damage.
Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension in Pabna, including Upazila Agriculture Officer Mita Sarkar and Deputy Director Dr. Jamal Uddin, have acknowledged the devastation caused by the heavy rains on the early-variety bean cultivation in Ishwardi and the broader Pabna region. With 1,176 hectares initially planted with these beans across nine upazilas, the impact of the weather-related destruction has been profound, highlighting the vulnerability of agriculture to natural disasters in the region.
Source: Financial Express