Irrigation Halted in Rangpur Due to Diesel Shortage, Boro Fields Cracking Dry

A severe fuel crisis in Rangpur has caused extreme disruption in agriculture. Irrigation pumps are on the verge of shutting down due to a shortage of diesel. Boro paddy fields are cracking dry. Farmers have become helpless.

The Department of Agricultural Extension fears that crop production may be hampered if irrigation cannot be ensured on time. Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ruhul Amin said that diesel supply will be increased quickly to overcome the crisis.

On Saturday, after visiting various fields in Gangachara Upazila, it was seen that most irrigation pumps have stopped due to a lack of diesel. Fields are not being irrigated on time, raising fears of crop damage.

Farmers say that regular irrigation is essential for Boro paddy fields. Due to the lack of diesel, the land is drying out. Although diesel was previously easily available, now they are not getting the required fuel even after standing in line for hours at filling stations. In many cases, they are being given no more than two to three liters of fuel, which is not enough to run irrigation even for a few hours.

Farmer Abdul Malek from Gangachara Upazila said, “If we cannot irrigate the fields, everything will be lost. We are now helpless without fuel.”

Another farmer, Sattar Mia, said that when he went to buy fuel with a bottle, the pump manager told him that fuel would not be given in bottles and asked him to bring a shallow machine instead.

Expressing his frustration, he said, “Is it possible to carry a shallow machine to the pump? We are farmers how can we afford such expenses? If this continues, we will not be able to cultivate anymore.”

Even so, some farmers are taking shallow machines to the pumps to save their paddy fields, which is increasing both time and cost.

According to the agriculture department, most irrigation systems in the Rangpur region depend on diesel. However, due to the current crisis, irrigation activities have nearly come to a standstill. This year, the target for Boro cultivation in the district has been set at 132,410 hectares.

Farmer leaders say that if adequate irrigation is not ensured at this time, Boro paddy production may drop by half.

Blaming the government’s failure for the fuel crisis, Anwar Hossain Bablu, a central committee member of the Khet Majur Parishad, said, “Due to a lack of government monitoring, a diesel crisis has emerged. Some dishonest traders are creating an artificial shortage.”

This farm labor leader also expressed concern that the country could head toward famine if timely diesel supply is not ensured.

Farmers are also unable to rely on electric irrigation systems. Frequent load shedding has made that system ineffective as well, worsening the crisis.

Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ruhul Amin said that the situation has arisen due to the impact of the global fuel crisis and that steps are being taken to increase diesel supply quickly. Special measures for farmers are also being considered.