Published: 10:18 AM, 02 April 2026
Netrokona haor farmers face losses as Boro paddy fields go under water
Boro paddy fields of the haor in the Netrakona region have been submerged in water due to heavy rains. The water level of the river connected to the haor is increasing, which has created a disastrous situation for the farmers of the haor to harvest their crops.
In this situation, the farmers of the haor are worried about the fear of major losses. Unplanned earthen embankments, reduction of silt soil, and lack of bridges on the submersible road have caused waterlogging due to the accumulation of heavy rain water. In some places, waist-deep water, and in others, knee-deep water.
However, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAKU) Department of Crop Botany Professor Dr. Md. Alamgir Hossain has advised farmers not to panic.
He said, "Boro rice harvesting in the haor starts after April 15. Although the rains started in the haor area of Netrakona at this time. But this time, due to the early heavy rains from the beginning of March, the haor was waterlogged in advance."
He said that the reason for the waterlogging of the boro crops of the haor due to the excessive rains is that the loamy soil of the haor does not have the ability to absorb water due to the decrease in silt soil. Farmers should not panic about this.
He also said that there is no problem if the rice seedlings of the haor are not completely submerged or if there is water up to the bottom of the rice plants. Even if they are in waterlogged water for 15 or 20 days, the rice seedlings do not rot.
Regarding the adverse behavior of the environment, Dr. Alamgir Hossain said that the flow of water drainage is blocked due to the unplanned construction of submersible roads in the haor. Moreover, he said that if more bridges are built on all the roads of the haor and the canals of the haor are dug, waterlogging will not occur even after heavy rains.
According to the District Agricultural Extension Department, about 507 hectares of Boro paddy fields have been submerged in water due to hailstorm and heavy rain in Sadar, Mohanganj, Kalmakanda, Khaliajuri, Barhatta, Purbadhala, Madan and Kendua upazilas of the district recently. Earlier, on March 15, about 215 hectares of Boro paddy land in Madan, 75 hectares in Kendua, 3 hectares in Purbadhala and 30 hectares in Sadar upazila were affected by hailstorm.
However, locals claimed that the amount of damage or loss caused by hailstorm is several times higher.
Farmers in the haor complained that the Agriculture Department or the Water Development Board are not taking any action in this regard.
To mention, the vast haor areas of Mohanganj, Madan, Kalmakanda and Khaliajuri upazilas are called the storehouse of Boro rice cultivation. The paddy produced in these four upazilas not only meets the local demand, but is also supplied outside the district. But this year, due to adverse weather conditions, the paddy planted in the land at the scheduled time have been submerged in waterlogging and many crops have been destroyed.
Again, some cultivated crops are on the verge of destruction.
Contacted, Netrakona DAE Deputy Director Amirul Islam said, "A total of 507 hectares of Boro paddy fields in the district have been submerged in water due to hailstorm and waterlogging. Agricultural officials are active in the field. If necessary, irrigation machines will be installed in those lands and water will be drained."
To mention, in the current Boro season, the target of Boro paddy cultivation in the Haor area of Netrokona has been set at 41,065 hectares. This year, Boro paddy has been cultivated in 10 upazilas of the district.
>>Indrojit Sarkar, AA
