We try and work hard: Gani

Osman Gani (a Farmer, Parkunda, Ranishankhail, Thakurgaon) and his father work their 113 decimals between themselves. They cannot afford to hire hands even during the peak seasons when the job has to be done in a few days if not hours. “That’s especially the case when we find water levels rising and the paddy is ready to harvest or when the weather is just right and plants must be sowed. But we try and work hard.”

The problem with farming is that the costs of inputs are gradually increasing, not just in monetary terms but also in volume, says Osman. “There were times when we could grow almost the same amount of paddy with almost no fertilisers. Now I end up spending thousands for urea and other inputs. Irrigation costs are also rising. The land seems to require much more water now, so the winter crops become extremely costly. But if I consider the full costs of our labour, then the market prices would appear rather low.”

About floods, Osman says, the problem is more with the stagnant water. “Generally flood waters will subside in a few days and despite the losses it is tolerable. Of course the fear of floods is always there. But when the water stays for say weeks or even months, it wipes out everything and we lose the entire season doing nothing.” Almost every year, Osman says, and it is becoming more regular, between mid June and mid August rain water is almost stagnant and most of his land remains submerged throughout that time. “Those months are the ones when I would not need irrigation as there is enough and if I cannot grow anything at that time, it only means we get less food from the land. With the rising food prices it has become a real worry.”

Osman’s father Entajul Gani says the weather pattern is changing so much that old methods and times do not really apply. “Winters used to be fairly dry but they are becoming wetter and milder by the year. There are more frequent cold waves and the temperature fluctuates, which is not good for the crops.”

Courtesy: New Age

Tags: Bangladesh, Climate Change, Parkunda, Ranishankhail, Thakurgaon

Category: Climate Change, Photo Gallery, South Asia