Photo : TDM
Jute farmers in Madaripur are facing a serious crisis due to the insufficient water supply in various canals and reservoirs, despite the ongoing rainy season. In spite of witnessing a promising jute yield in the region, the scarcity of water is hindering the proper retting of jute fibers, leading to significant losses for the farmers.
Even intermittent rainfall in the past few days has failed to replenish the reservoirs, leaving the farmers anxious and eagerly hoping for heavy rainfall to alleviate their situation.
The scarcity of water in this region is hindering the proper retting of jute fibers, resulting in substantial losses for the farmers. Even intermittent rainfall in the past few days has failed to replenish the reservoirs, leaving the farmers anxious and eagerly hoping for heavy rainfall to alleviate their situation.
The situation in various areas of the district is dire, with fierce competition among farmers to raise jute using the limited water available in ponds and drains. In some places, there is so little water that it dries up after the jute has been harvested, leaving jute bundles lying on the clay. As a result, many farmers are forced to transport the jute to distant rivers or water bodies, increasing their overall costs.
Moreover, the lack of sufficient water is affecting the quality of the jute, causing its color to fade, which can lead to lower prices in the market. Farmers are rightfully concerned that despite a good yield, the reduced water availability may result in a decrease in jute prices.
Quddus Mia, a farmer from Baheratala area in Shibchar upazila, expressed his distress, stating that at this time of the year, there should be ample water all around. However, the reality is far from that, with little to no water in ponds and canals, making it difficult for farmers to irrigate their jute crops effectively. The scarcity of rainfall compounds the problem, making jute farming a challenging endeavor.
Another group of jute farmers from Kutubpur area reported that the situation has been worsening over the past seven to eight years, with consistent water shortages in the region. The absence of adequate water flow from the Padma River to canals and lakes exacerbates the problem. Efforts to install small pipes in some areas of the dam have not been sufficient to meet the water demand. Consequently, jute cultivation has been adversely affected, and the fertility of croplands is diminishing due to insufficient water supply.
According to the District Agriculture Office, Madaripur has cultivated 37 thousand 440 hectares of jute this year, and the yield has been promising. However, the water shortage remains a significant obstacle for the farmers, hindering the proper rotting process of the jute.
Digbavijoy Hazra, an Agriculture Officer of Madaripur Agriculture Extension Directorate, acknowledged the good jute yield in the region but expressed concern over the water scarcity and its impact on the farmers. He emphasized the importance of addressing this issue to ensure the farmers can benefit from their hard work.
TDM/SD
