Untimely rain upsets groundnut growers

Untimely rain in the last few weeks has upset the groundnut growers in Teesta and Dharla river basin areas in the district this year.

The incessant rainfall also makes the groundnut growers unhappy.

Besides, fearing capital loss farmers are compelled to harvest their produce prior to the scheduled time, which may lead to a fall in groundnut production.

Char (landmass emerging from riverbed) farmers, who cultivated groundnut in the Teesta and Dharla riverbeds were compelled to harvest their immature groundnut fearing that the fields may go under water anytime.

Farmer Jobed Ali, 52, of Char Asami area in Sadar upazila, said he cultivated groundnut on two acres of land in the Teesta river basin and had a plan to harvest the crop in mid June, but he is compelled to harvest the crop long before that due to the untimely rain this year.

“In the previous years, we got 12 to 15 maunds of groundnut from each acre of land but this year the quantity is only nine to 12 maunds per acre due to the early harvest,” he said.

“We prepare our groundnut fields at the beginning of March and start the harvesting of the crops in mid June as generally the monsoon comes from the start of July,” said farmer Jalal Uddin, 62, of the same area.

Farmer Samad Miah, 55, of Shialkhowa village in Kaliganj upazila, said due to the untimely rainfall this year, they were compelled to harvest immature groundnut from the low lying fields for fear of loss of investment.

Groundnut grower Mazidul Islam, 50, of Khatamari village in Sadar upazila, said they spent Tk 9,000 in one acre of land and produced about 12 to 15 maunds of groundnut.

“We are selling each maund of the crop at Tk 2,500 to Tk 3,000 in the local markets,” he added.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Lalmonirhat groundnut was cultivated on 1,800 hectares, including 700 hectares in Teesta and Dharla riverbeds, this year.

Lalmonirhat DAE Deputy Director (DD) Bidhubhushan Roy said due to the untimely rain farmers in the district are harvesting their groundnut a bit early this year.

The DD said his department always encourages farmers, especially char farmers, to grow groundnut and other spice items on sandy land.