Incessant rainfall and upstream water flow have submerged 132 hectares of Aman paddy seedbeds in Gaibandha district, causing significant losses to farmers ahead of the transplantation season. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) reports that 33.5 hectares have been completely damaged, while nearly 310 hectares of vegetable fields have remained waterlogged across the district. The DAE had set a target to cultivate Aman paddy on 133,120 hectares of land this season, with seedbeds prepared on 7,025 hectares.
Gaibandha, comprising seven upazilas, 81 unions, and four municipalities, is highly vulnerable to flooding due to its riverine geography. Around 175 chars (river islands) are located in Gaibandha Sadar, Sundarganj, Fulchhari, and Saghatta upazilas, where rainwater accumulates quickly. Many seedbeds were inundated before the seedlings became ready for transplantation, leading to rotting and necessitating the preparation of fresh seedbeds at additional costs.
Farmer Saju Mia of Shital village under Nakai union in Gobindaganj upazila shared his experience, saying, "I have prepared seedbeds for cultivating Aman on 10 bighas of land, but the 10-12-day-old seedlings were destroyed after remaining under water for a week." Azizar Rahman of Dhankhania village in the same upazila is also preparing new seedbeds after the earlier seedlings were damaged by excessive rainfall.
Abdul Sobhan Mia of Harinathpur village in Palashbari upazila reported that the 20-22-day-old seedlings intended for eight bighas of Aman cultivation had remained submerged for a week, causing severe rotting and rendering them unsuitable for transplantation. Farmer Bakul Mia of the same village said all seedlings in seedbeds prepared for five bighas of land had been damaged.
Deputy Director of the DAE in Gaibandha Atikul Islam noted that many seedbeds in low-lying areas remained submerged due to continuous rainfall. He emphasized that proper care after the water recedes can help minimize damage, and agricultural officials are regularly providing necessary guidance to farmers at the field level.