Coming down heavily on field level officials of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), farmers of Bheramara upazila under Kushtia district, said stem borer, locally known as majra poka, has attacked their planted aman fields, fading away their hopes and aspirations.
As the pest attack is destroying the Aman plants despite spraying insecticides, the farmers repeatedly requested the DAE local officials to visit their fields and give them suggestions to this end. The DAE officials visited their villages but did not go to field to inspect the situation.
They passed their times at the insecticide and fertiliser shops with gossiping and having tea. So, the insecticide shopkeepers are now giving suggestions and advices to farmers in this regard, according to media reports.
A serious
frustration
grips the
local farmers
Farmers planted Aman paddy on their lands but leaves of the plants are turning brown due to attack by majra poka. But, they are failing to prevent spread of the destructive pest to aman plants on their lands despite spraying of insecticides. A serious frustration grips the local farmers.
The DAE officials are responsible to provide efficient, effective, decentralised, location specific, demand responsive and integrated extension services to all categories farmer in accessing and utilising better know how to increase sustainable and profitable crop production. If they discharge their duties our socio-economic development will be ensured.
On the other hand, if they (DAE officials) do not do so and continue having tea at insecticide and fertiliser shops instead of visiting the crop fields physically it would be a big blow for the farmers. Authorities concerned should take the issue seriously and go for action against the officials who do not respond to the farmers request but spend time at insecticide and fertiliser shop. Besides, the agriculture officials in the upazila will have to take necessary steps to control the pest as soon as possible.
All the concerned ministries and departments will have to extend all-out support and cooperation to the farmers to continue agricultural production by eliminating pest attacks immediately. Otherwise, cultivation and production of Aman paddy will be affected badly.