Delwar Kabir, Jhenaidah :
The maize farmers in Moheshpur of Jhenaidah were disheartened when they witnessed that their maize plots were affected by unknown diseases as the plants were multi-headed and the leafs were folded in most of the plots. Use of faulty seeds might be the reason behind the problems, said the farmers.
Officers of the department of agriculture extension had blamed the seeds supplied by Ptrochem Limited, a pesticides and seed importing company in Bangladesh might be faulty.
Farmers Abdul Kader, Ruhul Amin and some others said, they cultivated maize on their plots with Pioneer 33V96 variety of maize seeds marketed by Petrochem Limited. The seeds were procured from a seed vendor in the locality, they said.
When the plants grew upto about two feet, the same offered multiple heads and leafs were seen folded. They informed the matter and the officials of the DAE from Moheshpur visited the plots.
The farmers said, most of the farmers borrowed money from any non-governmental organization or money lenders with a high interest thinking the loan money should be realized from the sale proceeds of the maize. But their hopes shattered when the maize plots were affected.
Saiful Islam a regional officer of the seed supplying agency Petrochem Limited when contacted said, the plots might be affected by draft mosaic virus which might occur during preservation of the seeds. The matter was noticed to the authority in time, the company man said.
Upazila agriculture officer of the DAE in Moheshpur Abu Talha when contacted said, the farmers who sow Petrochem seeds were affected. The disease is known as multiple heads. The situation occurred due to seeds only.
He had advised the seed selling vendor to realize compensation from the company for the affected maize farmers without delay. Other wise the DAE will recommend for taking steps against the company, the DAE official said.
