Expected production of IRRI and Boro paddy may not be achieved in Kushtia and My-mensingh districts as seasonal storms and unusual rains have damaged the standing crops.

Our Kushtia correspondent says: Storms swept over the district several times, causing huge loss to IRRI-Boro paddy.

Local Agricultural Extension Department (AED) sources said inspired by the last years bumper production farmers brought 29.510 hectares of land under IRRI-Boro cultivation in the district.

But storms, known as nor wester, have dampened expectations of the farmers. AED sources said the farmers may face 30 per cent production loss because of nor wester.

Meanwhile, prices of the newly harvested paddy have come down mainly in absence of food grains procurement drive by the government.

Taking the advantage, middlemen are controlling the market, much to the frustration of farmers.

The government is yet to start the procurement drive. The poor growers are now forced to sell their products at throwaway prices in local markets to meet production expenses including loans they took while planting the crops.

The paddy now sells between Tk 230 and Tk 210 in local markets.

However, some farmers in Mirpur upazila said they also faced setback during cultivation as they could not irrigate properly following sharp fall in ground water level.

Besides, farmers in Mirpur. Sadar and Bheramara upazllas said they faced shortage of fertilisers during peak period of cultivation.

Our Mymensingh correspondent adds: Storms lashed all 12 upazllas of the district several times, causing huge damage to standing Boro paddy. Unusual rains also have caused damage to the crop.

According to local AED sources, paddy on some 21.659 hectares of land was damaged in 12 upazllas by the norwester.

Of the total, crop on 2,360 hectares in Phulbaria. 425 hectares in Sadar. 490 hectares in Muktagachha. 1.000 hectares in Trisha!, 1.000 hectares in Nandail. 900 hectares in Dubaura. 2,100 hectares in Bhaiuka. 803 hectares in Gouripur. 8,553 hectares in Phulpur. 1,000 hectares in Ish-warganj. 808 hectares in Gafar-goan and 2,220 hectares in Haluaghat upazllas was damaged

A total of 1,64.360 hectares of land were brought under Boro cultivation this year In the district. Of the total land. 1.58.490 hectares were brought under High Yielding Variety (!IW) and 5.870 hectares under local variety.