Sreemangal (Moulvibazar) Correspondent

In Sreemangal of Moulvibazar, during this current Boro season, farmers' dreams are turning to ashes before their very eyes due to pest attacks. Farmers are in distress as their paddy fields are under attack from ear-cutting pests. Even after using various pesticides, the pest attacks cannot be contained. The once green fields have now almost turned white.

In the Boro paddy fields, the panicles have just started to emerge from the stalks. However, a long, white, leda-like insect is piercing the emerging panicles, which are causing them to dry up and turn white (chita). Despite using various pesticides to save the current Boro paddy grown with much effort, the pest attacks are not being controlled.

On Sunday (27 April) morning, a field visit across various villages of the upazila including Ashidron, Khoshbash, Tikoria, Jamshi, Bhunbir, and Loyakol revealed that the farmers’ Boro paddy fields are suddenly under attack from ear-cutting (leda) insects. Most of the farmers are facing losses due to the pest infestation. It is expected that at least seven to eight maunds of paddy per bigha will be reduced due to the damage.

According to the Agriculture Office, in the current Boro season, the target for Boro paddy cultivation was set at 11,055 hectares of land. However, Boro paddy has been planted on 11,850 hectares of land. The estimated production is 47,281 metric tons of paddy.

Amin Mia, a farmer from Ashidron Khoshbash area of the upazila, said, "This year the Boro paddy seeds were very good. After transplanting the seedlings, they grew well in the fields. But the white leda insect attacked the fields and cut the panicles."

Md. Shakir Ahmed, another farmer from the same area, said, "My Boro paddy fields have suffered the most despite applying pesticides. The ear-cutting (leda) pest has destroyed the paddy of my six-and-a-half kiyar of land. The paddy has dried up and turned white (chita). Including sowing seeds and planting, I have spent 52,000 taka on my 210-acre (seven kiyar) field. Now that the paddy has dried and turned white (chita), there’s no paddy to harvest."

Bahar Ali, a farmer from Loyarkul village, said, "I cultivate four kiyar of land, and now the ear-cutting pest has cut the panicles in my field. The paddy has turned white (chita). Even after applying pesticides, it’s not working."

Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer Uzzal Sutradhar said, "This year, the yield has been good. Due to weather conditions, stem borers and ear-cutting pests are damaging the paddy. We are advising farmers to quickly harvest the ripe paddy and store it, and to use pesticides on the half-ripe paddy to control pests. We are also advising to keep water in the fields. If the fields are kept wet, the pest attacks can be reduced."

Upazila Agriculture Officer Alauddin said, "This year, Boro paddy was cultivated on 11,850 hectares of land in the upazila. The yield has been good. Our field workers have given farmers direct advice. Harvesting has already begun. Due to weather conditions, stem borers and ear-cutting pest attacks have been observed in some areas."