Dense fog, biting cold affect Boro seedbeds

Boro seedbeds in Khulna are being affected by the persistent cold wave and dense fog this season. 

Farmers are now worried as different plant diseases might infect their seedbeds. 

Agriculture officers advised them to cover the seedbeds with polythene or spray pesticides on the seedlings.  

They hope if farmers take proper care of the seedbeds as per their suggestions, they will be able to save the seedlings from severe cold and dense fog. 

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), there is a target of cultivating Boro paddy on 60,915 hectares of land in Khulna. The annual demand for food grains is 427,191 tonnes.

Atiar Rahman, a farmer in Dumuria upazila, said his seedbed is now under the threat of being damaged by severe cold wave. 

Ramakrishna Mondol, another farmer in Batiaghata upazila, said, "When we sell our paddy, we do not get fair prices. But when we go to buy seeds, we have to pay high prices.

Nevertheless, we had prepared our Boro seedbeds with an expectation of good production. But we are now tensed as severe cold might hamper our production," he added.

Abdur Rahman, sub-assistant agriculture officer in Rupsa upazila, said they have given farmers some suggestions to protect the seedbeds from the cold. 

Farmers have been advised to water seedbeds at night and cover them with polythene sheets. 

If needed, they can apply 200 grams of triple superphosphate, 150 grams of muriate of potash or potassium chloride and 400 grams of gypsum on each decimal of land to help the seedlings get back strength. 

If the seedlings turn yellowish, farmers can apply topdressing on affected seedbeds with a mixture of 280 grams of urea and 100 grams of potash per decimal of land. 

Pankaj Kanti Majumder, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Khulna, hopes bumper production of Boro paddy is possible this year if farmers abide by their guidelines.