As temperature keeps rising across the country, both farmers and agricultural experts fear that it may affect crop production seriously. Due to record-breaking heat wave, farmers are facing irrigation problems as water level has also declined.
From rice fields to mango orchards, the adverse effects of heat wave are evident everywhere. Boro paddy, which is at flowering stage in different areas across the country, face a looming threat of heat shock. Jute leaves are also turning pale and mango pulps are falling amidst scorching heat conditions.
Farmers in the northern region have said that they will need 25 more days to harvest Boro paddy while farmers in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Dinajpur have said that 20 percent of mango, litchi, and jackfruit pods have fallen.
However, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has again issued a 72-hour heat wave warning on Thursday. Earlier, the BMD issued a 72-hour heat wave warning on April 19 and 22.
Md. Mamunur Rashid, Chief Scientific Officer at Plant Physiology Department of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, told Bangladesh Post, “Existing temperature is higher than normal temperature. There is a risk of heat shock as temperatures soar beyond tolerable levels. To mitigate the impacts, adequate irrigation is a must to maintain temperatures below 35 degrees Celsius, protecting crops from heat-related damage.”
He also said that Boro harvesting has almost been completed in Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet and Haor areas. In other districts, where the farmers planted Boro seedlings lately, are at great risk.
Heat wave is also disrupting irrigation in different croplands across the country. Farmers have to bear extra costs of irrigation. Irrigation expenses skyrocketed due to prolonged drought-like conditions, he added.
As per Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation’s (BADC) statistics, Boro rice and Robi crops are largely dependent on irrigation and the number of farmers in the country is about 1.98 crore. Increased cost of irrigation will create additional pressure on the farmers. Around 5 percent extra cost is likely to be added this year due to heat wave.
In normal situations, farmers said they irrigate their croplands after every two days during their cultivation. But due to extreme heat, now they have to irrigate after every five to nine hours.
On the other hand, anxiety is also gripping mango farmers. While many farmers are attempting to irrigate their mango yards to protect pods from heat damage, many farmers are facing problems due to their limited resources and water scarcity.
Md. Shah Kamal Khan, Director at Agricultural Meteorological Information System Improvement Project, told Bangladesh Post, “in order to protect rice crop from heat wave, 5-7cm of water must be kept in land. We have to make sure that there is no shortage of water in land during this heat wave.”
He also suggested adequate irrigation at the roots of mango and litchi trees. If necessary, water can be sprayed on the branches of trees. Vegetable land should be supplied with water two to three times in the next one week depending on the types of soil. Besides, shedding should be ensured to protect fruit and vegetable seedlings from heat wave, he said.