Low rainfall forces farmers to irrigate Aman fields

After 16 percent below normal rainfall in June, Bangladesh saw a drier July as it registered 50.8 percent below normal rain, which forced many farmers to irrigate their fields to cultivate Aman paddy, the second largest rice crop.

Farmers mostly rely on monsoon rains to grow paddy during the Aman season. So now, the use of irrigation is going to push up the overall cost of production.

Take the case of Hazrat Ali Rubel, a farmer at Panditpur under Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha.

Yesterday, the 36-year-old grower transplanted paddy seedlings that were nearly three weeks old on two bighas of land.

"But the drought has hit the field," he said. "There has been no rainfall to mention. The irrigation pump operator now demands Tk 300 for irrigating on one bigha once."

Rafiqul Islam, another farmer in the same upazila, said his transplantation was delayed for 10-15 days as he waited for rain.

"Now, all have begun transplantation through supplementary irrigation although there is high cost," he added.

Data of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) showed that Bangladesh received 250 millimetres of (mm) rainfall in July, which was below normal rainfall of 507mm for the month.

Chattogram saw the lowest amount of rain followed by Barishal, Rajshahi, Dhaka and Khulna, according to the BMD.

In July last year, Bangladesh recorded 57.6 percent lower rainfall than normal during the monsoon season, which was the lowest in 41 years.

Some farmers said because of lower rainfall, they had to transplant late, which might affect yields.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) targeted to bring 59.33 lakh hectares of land under rice cultivation amid the current Aman season. Of that, it targets to ensure transplantation of rice on 56.59 lakh hectares this season.

Until July 31, 28 percent of the overall target has been achieved, said Md Tajul Islam Patwary, director, routine charge for the Field Services Wing of the DAE.

He said the rate of transplantation has been higher so far this year compared to the previous year.

"We are hopeful the target will be achieved. There has been less rainfall in various spots for the last couple of days. But if needed, supplementary irrigation will be provided," Patwary added.

Shibendra Narayan Gope, chief engineer (minor irrigation) of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), said nearly one-third of the roughly 17 lakh irrigation pumps available, including state sponsored and private ones, have been started to provide supplementary irrigation.

He said they have given instruction to field offices to keep irrigation pumps ready so that fields can be watered if needed.

"We will keep our irrigation pumps on," he said. "Aman cultivation will not be affected."

To discuss the issue of ensuring supplementary irrigation to ensure a good yield from the Aman season, the agriculture ministry yesterday held a meeting with representatives of BADC, the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority and Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board.

Rabindra Sri Barua, additional secretary in charge of the extension wing at the agriculture ministry, said they held the meeting to ensure coordinated steps are taken.

"Supplementary irrigation will be provided whenever and wherever it is necessary. We had a bumper harvest of Aman paddy in the previous season, and we are well prepared to ensure that this time too," he added.

Md Omar Faruq, a meteorologist at the BMD, said there had been several heat waves in the country in July.

"There is possibility of heat waves in August too. But we expect normal rainfall this month," he added.