Continuous rain inundates Aman seedbeds in Bauphal

Continuous rainfall and tidal water have submerged Aman seedbeds in several unions of Bauphal upazila in Patuakhali, leaving many farmers worried about the upcoming Aman cultivation season.

Farmers said more than half of the seedbeds, along with Aus paddy, have been damaged by prolonged waterlogging.

They fear the losses could disrupt Aman cultivation and reduce production this season. During a field visit to Bauphal Sadar, Nazirpur, Kesabpur, Dhulia, Kachipara, Madanpura, Boga and Kalaiya unions, large areas of agricultural land and seedbeds were found submerged.

Lal Mia, a farmer from Dhulia Union, said officials often assess the damage from their offices without properly visiting the affected fields.

“The seedbeds in the fields have been ruined. I am now worried about whether I will be able to cultivate Aman this year,” he said.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, Aus paddy was cultivated on 2,608 hectares of land in Bauphal this season, while the target for Aman cultivation has been set at 34,750 hectares.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Molin Mia acknowledged that some seedbeds had been partially or completely submerged due to several days of continuous rainfall.

“However, we hope the damage will not be significant if the rainwater and tidal water recede quickly,” he said.

He added that some farmers had already started preparing new seedbeds on higher ground. “Sub-assistant agriculture officers are working in the field to assess the overall financial losses and provide necessary advice to farmers,” he said.

So far, farmers have prepared Aman seedbeds on 1,270 hectares. Of this, 580 hectares have been submerged by water, according to the office.

However, the Agriculture Office estimated that 19 hectares of Aus paddy and 26 hectares of Aman seedbeds have been damaged.

Farmers, however, disputed the official assessment, saying the actual extent of damage is much higher.
Kawsar Hossain Boyati, a farmer from Nazirpur Union, said the seedbeds had remained underwater for several days and had already started rotting.

“Officials say there will be no major damage if the water recedes, but the seedbeds have already begun to rot. We are worried about Aman production,” he said.

Md Mosharraf Hossain Khan, a farmer from Boga Union, said he had cultivated vegetables, but they were submerged and subsequently rotted, causing him a substantial financial loss.