Pest attack on paddy : Agri officials' absent in fields in Manda alleged
M Rezaul Islam, Naogaon
Widespread pest attacks, including mealybugs, blast, and brown planthoppers, are destroying vast Aman paddy fields across Manda Upazila in Naogaon.
Affected farmers in villages such as Khudiadanga, Motgari, Paranpur, and Ganeshpur report that crops over hundreds of hectares are drying up, threatening heavy financial losses.
Compounding the crisis, local farmers accuse field-level agriculture officers and block supervisors of total negligence, claiming officials remain absent from the fields while colluding with local dealers selling ineffective or adulterated pesticides.
Local Union Parishad leaders have echoed these concerns, demanding immediate higher-level intervention to provide authentic technical support and curb alleged corruption.
In response, Upazila Agriculture Officer Shayla Sharmin cited staff shortages but maintained that officers are actively supervising fields and providing guidance. Conscious citizens have urged the government to take prompt, concrete action to protect the region’s agricultural community.
