Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Bean plants are dying due to lack of rain and severe drought in Muladuli in Ishwardi, one of the leading bean producers in the country. The farmers of the region wanted to benefit by early bean cultivation. But this time the hopes of the farmers have been dashed. Farmers have their hands in the head despite cultivating beans in advance. Expected rain is not falling even in full monsoon season. The Ishwardi Meteorological Office said that there has been no such low rainfall in the month of Ashad-Shravan in the last 42 years. The Meteorological Office also said that the average rainfall in Ishwardi during June-July 2021 was 11.75 mm. And in 2022, the average rainfall was only 2.55 mm in two months. That is, 78.30 percent less rain this year compared to last year. Due to lack of water most of the bean plants are dying due to lack of sap in the soil. Farmers have to count losses instead of profits due to the death of beans. So now many have removed dead trees and replanted bean seedlings.
In Muladuli Union of Ishwardi, advance bean cultivation has been going on for more than 10 years. Two varieties of agam beans named Auto and Rupbhaan are cultivated. Due to the severity of the drought, the leaves of the bean plant turned yellow, pitted and discolored. Moreover, the trees are weakened by insect attacks and die. Desperate farmers are uprooting dead beans and planting new seeds and seedlings. This information was learned by talking to the Farmers, Agriculture and Climate Office of Muladuli area.
Farmer Bakkar Authnik of Pratirajpur village of Muladuli said that beans are sold in advance at Tk 100-150 per kg. This time we are faced with spending extra money to plant beans in advance. Far from profiting by the death of the bean plant, there will be infinite loss. The bean plants have now turned red and discolored due to severe drought. They are being removed and replaced. Their yield will be available in the months of Kartik and Agrahayana. Then it will not be sold at a higher price.
Shajahan Sardar of Sheikhpara said that about 15,000 taka has been spent on one bigha of land for beet (mound) preparation, seeds and pesticides. I planted auto beans with the loan money of the NGO. After a month and a half of drought, most of the bean plants died.
Aliuzzaman, deputy assistant agriculture officer of Muladuli Union, said that due to the severity of the drought and the lack of desired rain, there has been a huge loss in the bean plantation.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Mita Sarkar said that due to non-rainfall, the amount of juice required for bean plants has been attacked by insects. The leaves turn pale and the tree becomes dull. Bean farmers are affected this time. Farmers have been advised to remove dead trees and plant new bean seedlings.
