Pest attack has damaged vast area of Aman paddy field in different upazilas of the district. Farmers were taking preparations for harvesting the ripe paddy.But the pest attack has ruined their dream. At such a time swarms of brown grasshoppers are sucking the sap of rice plants. As a result, the affected paddy field suffers severe yield loss. Locally this insect is known as ‘Current insect’. This attack is first time in Meherpur district, although current insect attack has occurred in different parts of the country.
According to the information of Meherpur Agriculture Office, the target of Aman rice in the district this year was 26830 metric tons and the production target was set at 85856 metric tons, 3.2 metric tons per hectare. Aman paddy harvesting has already started. In the meantime, the currant bug has given the farmers here a new worry. Last year, farmers suffered crop damage due to high heat during the Boro season.
Many farmer paid their attention to Amanfarming to compensate for that loss. However, due to low rainfall this time, the farmers have faced a big challenge due to the high cost of Aman paddy cultivation. Adding to that challenge is the tiny current insect. Sitting at the base of the paddy plant, sucking the sap of the tree. The grain of rice is turning into a fallow rice or ‘chitah’. Numerous insects in groups are damaging the entire field in one night. Before remedial measures are taken, all the rice in the affected fields is destroyed. In some cases, the damage of rice cannot be prevented even by spraying.
Farmers say that they have given up hope of rice from the affected fields, rice is being cut only for cattle feed. The frustration of the farmers is increasing due to repeated loss in the paddy field. Therefore, the farmers demanded the agricultural officials to take more effective measures to ensure uninterrupted food production.
Shankar Kumar Majumder, Deputy Director, Directorate of Agricultural Extension, Meherpur said that favourable weather this year in the region is responsible for the ‘Current’ insect attack. However, this agriculture officer thinks that the use of necessary pesticides and technology in rice fields will prevent current insects.