Pesticide application destroys 15 decimals of paddy land in Gaibandha

A farmer in Gaibandha's Sundarganj upazila has faced significant financial losses after applying a chemical to his agricultural land that reportedly destroyed his entire paddy crop. The affected farmer, Md. Kamruzzaman, resides in the West Belka village located within the Belka union of Sundarganj upazila.

According to the verified details of the incident, the controversy began on August 13 when Md. Kamruzzaman procured a chemical product known as 'Eraxon 200 SL' from a local pesticide shop. The transaction involved Md. Mahbub Mia, the shopkeeper who supplied 100 millilitres of the medicine to the farmer.

Explaining his perspective on the purchase, the affected farmer Md. Kamruzzaman stated that he had originally asked for a medicine to control weeds in his paddy field. He noted that he bought the chemical based entirely on the recommendations of the shopkeeper and applied it to his land, only to discover the following day that the rice seedlings were dying, ultimately ruining approximately 15 decimals of land and leaving him facing major financial hardship.

Countering the farmer's claims, the vendor Md. Mahbub Mia maintained that he made no mistake in providing the product. He stated that the customer had specifically asked for a medicine to kill grass on empty land, known locally as 'khaona bari', and purchased the item under those stated pretences.

Following the crop failure, local intervention was sought to assess the situation. Md. Ershad Mia, who inspected the affected agricultural plot, confirmed that all the paddy seedlings had died and noted that he had initiated discussions with the business owner regarding potential compensation.

Seeking formal resolution and remediation for the damages, the aggrieved farmer Md. Kamruzzaman has submitted a written complaint to multiple government bodies, specifically addressing the Upazila Nirbahi Officer's office and the Department of Agricultural Extension.