DIPANKAR ROY

A shortage of diesel supply is disrupting irrigation for Boro cultivation in Khulna, leaving marginal farmers worried about losing their crops at a crucial stage.

Abdur Rahman Gazi, a farmer from Jaliardanga village in Dumuria upazila, cultivated Boro paddy on two bighas this season. A brief spell of rain a few days ago brought some relief, but the fields have dried up again.

Now, he cannot irrigate his land as diesel is unavailable.

“I tried several places but could not find any fuel. Even nearby filling stations are not selling oil in containers,” he said.

“If I cannot irrigate now, the plants will dry out, panicles will not form, and pests may attack. My production could be reduced by half,” Gazi lamented.

Nearby, farmer Amrito Biswas, who cultivated three bighas, said irrigation is needed every five days.

“I need about three litres of diesel each time, but I have not found any for the last 10-12 days,” he said, adding that filling stations are supplying fuel to vehicles but not to farmers. “In the open market, diesel costs Tk 130-150 per litre. Boro farmers should be given priority now; otherwise, we will face huge losses.”

In Batiaghata upazila, farmer Probir Mondal, who cultivated five bighas, said he has been forced to buy diesel at higher prices.

“For the last 15 days, I have been buying diesel at Tk 130–135 per litre, but even that is not always available,” he said.

He said one of the two fuel shops in Amtala market has already shut down amid the shortage and urged the authorities to take action.

The shortage is also affecting other farm activities.

Visits to different areas across Khulna showed a similar picture. Many filling stations had little or no fuel. Some put up “No fuel available” signs, while others restricted entry, with staff saying sales would resume once fuel supply resumes.

Meanwhile, in Khulna city, long queues of vehicles were seen at filling stations.

At Maria Filling Station near the Joy Bangla intersection, owner Sheikh Mizanur Rahman said he received only 2,000 litres of octane yesterday.

“This month, I got only 3,000 litres of petrol,” he said.

While they sell around 2,500–2,600 litres of octane daily, due to the ongoing supply crunch, they are rationing fuel — 10 litres for private cars, 20 litres for SUVs, and Tk 300 worth for motorcycles.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Khulna, while Boro cultivation was targeted on 2,64,719 hectares this season, the actual cultivated area reached 2,66,993 hectares.

Officials said most crops are now at critical stages — 48 percent at panicle initiation, 28 percent at booting, 20 percent at tillering, and 4 percent at flowering stage.

Md Rofiqul Islam, DAE additional director in Khulna, claimed diesel is available and there would be no major disruption.

Md Habibur Rahman, general manager (operations) of Meghna Petroleum Limited, said there is enough fuel in stock, including diesel, as supply increased between March 20-23.

“We are supplying fuel based on demand while also monitoring to prevent hoarding,” he added.