Irregularities found in agri incentive project in Sreepur

Sadek Mia, Sreepur (Gazipur)

Irregularities in the production of seeds and seedlings of BRRI-Dhan-87 have been found in agricultural incentive project titled “Block Demonstration in Synchronized Farming” in Sreepur Upazila of the district.

Complaints of planting less than prescribed number of seeds and demonstration on less land than the government allocation have been received.

When the media workers started gathering information about the matter, it was found that the seedling trays were brought from other areas and placed in the demonstration plot. But to ensure low cost and short time use, there is a rule of sowing seeds in trays with the help of rice transplanter machine.

While visiting on July 21 last, it was found that the designated number of trays could not fill the empty space of the demonstration plot even with seedling trays in Satkhamair area of Barmi Union in the upazila. The marginal farmers said that they did not get the desired success in achieving the project.

Tk 12.88 lakh has been allotted in Sreepur Upazila for the cost of maintenance of seedbed, soil collection, tray making, seeds, fertilizers, harvesting, signboard, technology exhibition board etc. It is a scheme under the Agricultural Incentive Programme for the fiscal year 2021-23. It is supposed to plant high yielding varieties of paddy. No signboard was seen in that project.

On condition of anonymity, a number of farmers under the scope of the demonstration said that on July 10 this year, seedbeds were set up in 2,000 trays in Morolpara area of Satkhamair. In the project, 4,500 trays are supposed to be installed in 50 acres of land. But only 2,000 trays have been installed with the help of machines. On July 21, a pickup van brought trays with 500 more seedlings and planted those in the seedbed. Driver Babul and his helper were seen taking down the trays from the pickup van and placing those on the ground. They reported bringing 500 trays from Barmi area of neighboring Barmi Union.

Going to the area, it was found that seedlings were being brought by a pickup van from other areas and being transplanted in the seedbed. Another 2,500 black colored empty trays were being brought and stored near the demonstration ground. Sreepur Upazila Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Humayun Kabir was supervising these works.

Farmers of the same village, Siraj Uddin, Abdus Salam, Hadis Mia and others said, “The field workers of the agriculture department told us at the beginning of the project that a demonstration plot would be made on 50 acres of land. Lately they said, the exhibition ground will be made on 17-acre or 50-bigha land. All activities other than land preparation will be financed by the project.”

Farmer Islam Mia said, “There is a project to produce saplings from seeds. They are bringing seedlings from other places and planting those in the seedbed. There is uncertainty as to whether the quality of the seedlings will be good or not.”

Earlier on July 20 last, Sreepur Upazila Agriculture Officer could not be found in his office to inquire about this. However, Humayun Kabir, sub-assistant agriculture officer of that office, said that two thousand trays have been installed in the Satkhamair project, and 2,500 trays will be brought from elsewhere. The project will be exhibited on 50 acres of land, and 52 farmers will be beneficiaries of this project. The project signboard will be put up later.

Talking to several agriculture officials on these issues, it has been known that the project has some objectives. Short time and low cost of seedbed preparation, seed planting, seedling production, transplanting, cutting and threshing with modern machinery are mandatory.

Sreepur Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Sumaiya Sultana said, “4,500 trays are supposed to be installed in this project. Agriculture depends on climate and technology. As the recent weather has not been favorable, 2,500 trays have not been planted yet as requested by the farmer. The equipment of 4,500 trays is not enough. The project will continue till the crop cutting.” However, he could not say for sure in which month the crop cutting will be held.