Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Due to hot wind, intense heat and lack of rain, the almond trees of Ishwardi’s grazing area have been burnt. Farmers said that there has been an extreme disaster in almond cultivation this year. They say that not a single penny of the cost of farming will come home.
According to the Agricultural Extension Office sources, Ishwardi farmers cultivate almonds in three parts of the year. The almonds that are currently in the field, these seedlings are planted in March. Nuts are supposed to mature by June. But due to severe drought and lack of rain for more than a month, almond trees are dying in the field.
The temperature in Ishwardi was extreme throughout the month of April. The temperature fluctuated between 39 and 43.2 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature recorded here was 43.2 degrees Celsius on 30th April. Although the temperature has decreased in the last few days, the temperature is between 34.5 degrees and 35.5 degrees.
According to the office of the Upazila Agriculture Officer, 1 thousand 425 bighas of land are cultivated in Ishwari. Out of the seven unions of the upazila, almond plantations are more in Sara, Lakshikunda and Pakshi Unions in Char area on the banks of Padma River. Jalil Sheikh, a farmer of Dadapur village of Lakshikunda union, planted almonds last year after getting good yield and high prices. Out of the eighteen bighas, 5 bighas are his own and Barga has taken 13 bighas of land. He said, like last year, I planted almonds in the hope of more profit. But the hope was dashed due to adverse weather conditions. The land is prepared and almond seedlings are planted in the land in early March. The tree is also quite large. But from the beginning of April severe drought started. Most of the trees are burnt with reddish color. 12,000 taka was spent on almond cultivation per bigha. All the trees were burned to the ground. I will not get single money back.
Sara farmer Ajibur Rahman said that the almond trees were burnt in the heat.
About 35 thousand taka have been spent on three bighas. Not even a single rupee will be returned as the almond trees are destroyed by fire.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Mita Sarkar said that almond cultivation is increasing every year in Ishwardi due to the demand. Farmers are also benefiting. But this year due to adverse weather conditions and intense heat, the production of not only almonds but also other crops is likely to be reduced.