FROM PAGE B4

claimed that the situation is under control.

“We are advising farmers to use pesticides. The infestation is being managed and will gradually be eliminated,” he said.

However, farmers say they see no results despite applying pesticides.

“Officials from the DAE sometimes drive past the fields and leave. They don’t offer any advice or support, and don’t even tell us which pesticides to use to save our crops,” Siraj Mia alleged.

Other farmers in the Char Amanullah union shared similar complaints.

In response, Harunur Rashid cited a severe manpower shortage. Each of the 24 agricultural blocks in the eight unions should have one sub-assistant agriculture officer, but only 10 officers are currently working.

Ashish Kumar Kar of DAE added that soil salinity and a lack of rain also worsened the pest attack.

“The pest attack should ease after the recent rainfall,” he stated.

He confirmed the manpower shortage and said a recruitment process is underway to address it.