Farmers in Nageshwari Upazila of the district are facing a new threat as bacterial leaf blight (BLB) disease spreads across paddy fields, raising fears of significant crop loss.

The disease is gradually affecting more areas, spreading from field to field.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, a target of 24,360 hectares was set for transplanted Aman paddy this season, and farmers actually cultivated 24,365 hectares. Favorable weather and regular care had created the potential for a good harvest, and most fields are now maturing, with harvesting underway in some areas.

However, the disease has become a major concern. BLB, a bacterial infection, attacks leaves and stems, causing yellow-green spots that later turn brown and dry out. During dew or rainfall, the leaves exude a milky discharge. The infection gradually weakens and kills entire plants, sometimes giving the false impression of ripe crops from a distance, but closer inspection reveals dried, damaged paddy. Farmers across the upazila have reported similar damage, leaving them worried about losing their harvest at the last stage.

Local farmers, including Moksedul Islam, Mokbul Hossain, Khairul Alam, Anowar Hossain, Mahabubur Rahman, Lalmon Mia, Nur Jamal, Rahimuddin, Monowar Hossain, Meher Jamal, Akhtar Hossain, and Mozammel Kazi, expressed their distress over the situation, saying, "We are watching our paddy fields being destroyed. If the crops are lost, what will we eat?"
Senior Upazila Agriculture Officer Shahriar Hossain said that awareness campaigns, including leaflet distribution, are underway. Farmers are being advised to use approved fungicides and pesticides to control the spread of the disease.

Source - https://www.observerbd.com