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Several days of intense rainfall have submerged 1,622 hectares of farmland in Jashore, Bangladesh, severely impacting Aman seedbeds and raising concerns about potential seedling shortages for the ongoing planting season. The affected areas include significant portions of Aman seedbeds, Aush paddy fields, vegetable patches, chili fields, and jute cultivation.

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If the water does not recede soon, I will have to prepare a new seedbed, increasing costs and delaying transplanting.

Farmers are expressing deep concern over the escalating losses. Shamsur Rahman, a farmer from Bagherpara, noted that his submerged Aman seedbed would necessitate preparing a new one, increasing costs and delaying transplanting. Rezaul Islam, another farmer, warned that prolonged flooding of Aush paddy fields would seriously affect overall production. Vegetable grower Ashraf Ali fears his submerged crops may rot if the water does not recede within the next few days.

Mosharraf Hossain, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Jashore, confirmed that continuous rainfall since Friday inundated most low-lying areas. The district's target for Aman cultivation this season is 155,036 hectares, with 13,000 hectares planned for seedbeds. Currently, about 24% of these seedbeds are prepared, but 310 hectares are underwater. Jashore recorded 190mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending Friday, one of the highest single-day totals this season, with more rain anticipated.

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Aush paddy fields had also gone under water and warned that prolonged flooding would seriously affect production.

Despite the damage, agricultural officials suggest that improved drainage systems, resulting from recent river dredging in some upazilas, might help floodwaters recede faster than in previous years. They are urging for the swift distribution of seeds, technical assistance, and rehabilitation aid for the farmers grappling with these losses.

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If the water remains for another two or three days, the crops may rot.