Incomplete sluice gate : Agricultural production hampered, farmers suffering in Betagi
Saidul Islam Montu, Betagi (Barguna)
Farmers in Betagi Upazila of Barguna are facing immense suffering due to the delay in completing the construction of sluice gates.
This is severely disrupting agricultural production, leaving lands uncultivated and causing problems in local transportation.
According to reports, outlet and sluice gate construction work is ongoing in several areas of Betagi upazila under the Water Development Board’s supervision.
These include Choto Jhopkhali, Jhopkhali, Jhilbunia under the Sadar Union, and Karuna and Chhoto Mokamia under Mokamia Union.
A contractor firm from Chattogram, Yunus & Brothers, received six project packages worth TK 11 crores.
The construction of an outlet over the Gabua canal in the Sadar Union began, but the project is still incomplete. Water drainage is blocked, affecting three branch canals and halting farming activities in Keorabunia, Betagi, and Gabua villages. About 400 acres of land have remained fallow during the AUS season.
Despite repeated complaints, no effective solution has been made, leading to growing frustration among helpless farmers.
Farmers alleged that due to the construction of a culvert and blockage of the canal, they couldn’t plant AUS rice at the start of the season due to a lack of water. during the monsoon, poor drainage has caused waterlogging, submerging lands that should have been filled with the fragrance of growing crops. weeds and barren soil dominate the landscape.
Local farmers and concerned individuals fear that this may lead to a food shortage in the upazila, necessitating imports to meet the deficit. Moreover, stagnant water along the canal banks has increased mosquito breeding, raising the risk of dengue, skin diseases, and other waterborne illnesses.
Affected farmers demand the administration prepare a list for compensation.
Affected farmers met with Betagi UNO Md. Bashir Gazi and submitted their complaintson Monday. Among those present were Harun Sardar, Kamrul Hasan, Khokon Sardar, Tuku Howlader, Farid Hossain, Abdul Awal from Ward 8 of Betagi municipality.
The UNO gave verbal assurance after speaking with concerned parties.Harun Sardar, a farmer from Ward 9 of Betagi municipality, said, “Due to the contractor’s negligence, work started late in the rainy season, forcing hundreds of farmers like us to suffer. Though we complained to the UNO, and he assured us, we haven’t seen any solution yet. We are now helpless.
Locals mentioned that fields have been submerged for months, resulting in the spoilage of grasslands and scarcity of cattle fodder since the Chaitra month.
Poor road conditions have added to the misery, with many unable to access their lands. Even tractor operators remain unemployed due to the lack of cultivation. Monir Hossain, a tractor driver, said he has been idle due to the lack of activity.
According to the upazila agriculture department, if farmers around the Gabua canal had been able to cultivate Aus crops this year, they would have harvested around 500 metric tons of rice from 400 acres of land. Due to the loss, they have suffered approximately TK 1.37 crores in financial damages.
If they also miss the Aman season, an estimated 100 metric tons of rice will be lost, leading to a potential Tk 2.75 crores loss over two seasons. Since Aman yields are typically higher, the total estimated loss could rise to Tk 3.75 crore.The same situation is seen in Choto Jhopkhali, Jhopkhali, Jhilbunia, Karuna and
Choto Mokamia.
Choto Mokamia.
Locals like Khalil Talukder, Ismail, Ruhul Amin, and Abdur Rahman said they had repeatedly pleaded with the contractor, but to no avail. They couldn’t plant Aus and are now worried about Aman as well. They urge swift completion of the construction.
Md. Nazrul Islam Khan, a farmer from Chhoto Mokamia village, said, “I couldn’t even plant a single seedling this Aus season. Now I have to survive on half meals.
If I fail to grow crops in the Aman season too, we’ll go hungry. And there’s no one to care.”Md. Riaz, Assistant Agriculture Officer of Betagi Sadar Union, said if the construction is not completed soon, farmers may fall behind in Aman cultivation. Delays could double their costs due to seed shortages.Lima Akhter, another Assistant Agriculture Officer, said, “These marginal farmers are already struggling financially and rely solely on agriculture. If they can’t cultivate, they will become even poorer.
Betagi Upazila Agriculture Officer Tanzila Ahmed confirmed receiving both written and verbal complaints. “We have informed the UNO about the issue, and we hope he will take proper measures,” she said.Contractor representative Raju Ahmed explained the delay was due to late results from BUET’s materials testing lab in Dhaka, along with frequent rain.
“We’re hopeful that we can finish the work soon,” he added.
UNO Md. Bashir Gazi said, farmers brought their concerns to me. I have already discussed the matter with the Barguna Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board and the contractor several times. They have promised to complete the work quickly. If negligence is found, necessary action will be taken.
