Amtali (Barguna) Correspondent:
In Amtali, Barguna, farmers are unable to irrigate their lands due to shortage of diesel and petrol as well as electricity. This has led to extreme uncertainty about crop production in the current Boro season. There is a risk that paddy in many fields will dry up due to lack of water on time.
Farmers complain that sufficient fuel is not available at various filling stations in the area. On the other hand, farmers who used to irrigate using electric motors are also facing extreme problems due to lack of regular electricity. As a result, irrigation activities have almost come to a standstill.
In addition, diesel and petrol were previously easily available from various local shops, which was somewhat helpful for farmers. This did not require them to go to the pump and stand in line many times. However, currently fuel is not available in those shops either. Farmers complain that even if it is available elsewhere, it has to be bought at a high price.
A local farmer said, “Earlier, we could buy diesel from the shop next door to irrigate. Now, there is nothing available there. Even if we go to the pump, we cannot get oil, and even if we do get it, the price is high.”
Another farmer said, “If we do not water the land regularly during this time, the paddy will be ruined. But there is no electricity, no oil—we are now helpless.”
Agriculture-related people say that ensuring timely irrigation during the Boro season is very important. But since the electricity and fuel crisis occur together, there is a risk of major losses in production.
Amtali Upazila agriculture officials said that they are closely monitoring the situation and are trying to resolve the problem quickly by keeping in touch with the concerned authorities.
Locals claim that if the electricity and fuel supply in this agriculture-dependent region is not normal, it will have a serious impact on food production. Therefore, the concerned authorities have been urged to ensure uninterrupted power supply and adequate diesel and petrol on an urgent basis.