Rot Disease Leaves Gangni’s Medicinal Plant Farmers Bankrupt

Fields of sweet smelling Sand Ginger spread across many areas of Gangni upazila in Meherpur. But in Kasba and Jalshuka villages and across the upazila, a shadow of sorrow now hangs over the fragrance and the fresh green. A harmful rot disease has left about 50 farmers with nothing in just one week. The upazila agriculture office first counted at least 8 hectares of damaged land. In the fields, however, the Sand Ginger crop on about 10 to 15 hectares has rotted and died. Local farmers are in shock and hold their heads in despair.

Farmers say they put a large amount of money into Sand Ginger this season. It is a profitable, high value herb and spice crop. They bought seeds at high prices and spent on land preparation, fertiliser and pesticide. They used their savings and worked very hard in the hope of a good harvest. But then, one field after another began to suffer from root rot. The leaves turn yellow and droop, and the valuable Sand Ginger under the soil rots away.

Mr. Rabiul Islam, a farmer from Kasba village (East Para) who lost his crop, spoke with tears in his eyes. He said, “I had great hopes and grew Sand Ginger on 10 decimals of land. I borrowed money to buy fertiliser and pesticide. But rot suddenly set in, and within one week the whole field turned to ashes. No medicine works. I do not know how to pay back the loan or how to feed my family.”

Mr. Saddam Hossain and Mr. Badruddoja, two other farmers from Kasba village, said the same. On a field visit yesterday, our correspondent saw field after field turn red and dry from rot. Farmers sprayed several pesticides and fungicides again and again to save the crop, but nothing helped. Many pulled out the rotten roots and cried out in anger and pain. Farmers say the agriculture office gave no effective supervision or correct advice when the disease first began to spread. So they bought poor quality pesticide from the market, and the damage grew even more.

The farmers who lost their crops are in despair. They demand government aid, interest free farm loans and free seeds for the next season without delay. They warn that if these do not come, farmers in the area may stop growing this profitable, high value crop altogether. Mr. Badruddoja and Mr. Saddam Ali gave the same view.

Mr. Naimur Rahman, Sub Assistant Agriculture Officer of the Dhankhola block, said Sand Ginger rot has caused huge losses this year. He said the disease could not be stopped even though farmers got advice and the needed medicine early on. He blames extreme heat and heavy rain for the outbreak. Mr. Shahin Reza Jewel, Sub Assistant Agriculture Officer of the Kasba block, and Mr. Giyas Uddin of the Garadob block gave the same view.

Mr. Arafat Mia, Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer, said many farmers do not treat the seeds before sowing. He said others do not pick the right land and start farming on low lying land. He said bad weather brought viruses and bacteria that rotted the crop this time. He said officials have informed the higher authorities.

Mr. Abdullah Al Mamun, Gangni Upazila Agriculture Officer, spoke about the whole matter. He said the rot came from weather change and a rise in soil fungus. He said officials have visited the damaged fields since they heard the news. They advise farmers to use approved fungicide in the right dose to stop the rot. He said officials are counting the losses and reporting to the higher authorities so that the farmers can get help to recover. He also said they are trying to inform plant disease experts at agricultural research institutes.