Demanding compensation, Boro farmers in Boda upazila of Panchagarh, whose crop fields were badly affected by blast disease attack, blocked Panchagarh-Dhaka highway at Moidandighi Bazar yesterday.

They spread affected paddy plants on the road and chanted slogans in favour of their demand. Many vehicles were stranded during the hour-long demonstration, causing immense sufferings to passengers.  

The farmers withdrew barricade after the local administration gave them assurance that they would take steps for realising compensation.

Farmers said the blast disease attacked their paddy fields at the final stage of Boro cultivation.

The disease is spreading rapidly as the antidotes prescribed by agriculture officials in Boda and Debiganj upazilas of Panchagarh are ineffective, they said.

Many farmers, especially those who took loans from non-governmental organisations or local money lenders, are worried about how they will meet their deficit. 

They urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to order payment of compensation considering their miseries.

About 30,650 hectares of land have been brought under Boro cultivation against the target of 30,690 hectares, with production target of 1,37,938 tonnes this season, according to the officials of Department of Agricultural Extension in Panchagarh .