Farmers in Jashore's Harina Beel are facing uncertainty over Boro paddy cultivation on 300 bighas of land due to severe waterlogging caused by the closure of drainage in the Mukteshwari River.

The stagnant water has left large portions of farmland submerged, posing a serious challenge to local farmers and leading to financial losses.

Jashore Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Hasan Ali described Harina Beel as a high-yielding area for Boro cultivation, typically producing bumper harvests.

"This year, due to comparatively higher rainfall in Jashore, a portion of the beel remains waterlogged. We expect the water to recede soon, allowing farmers to start planting. However, cultivation in this area will be delayed compared to other regions," he added.

The Department of Agricultural Extension has assured that it may take some time for the water to recede and farmers will eventually be able to cultivate Boro.

Most parts of Harina Beel remain knee-deep in water, with some areas waist-deep. Farmers in the upper parts of the beel, where water levels are lower, have started irrigation for Boro cultivation. However, those in the lower parts are unable to proceed due to excessive water accumulation.

Residents of Kazipur, Baladanga, Kharichadanga, and Ramnagar, adjacent to the beel, said that water from Jashore town usually flows into Harina Beel during the monsoon season before being drained into the Zia Canal, which connects to the Mukteshwari River.

However, in recent years, unplanned fish enclosures have disrupted the natural flow of water, causing prolonged waterlogging.

Farmers, including Yunus Gazi and Shyamal Sarkar, highlighted that the Harina Beel extends across multiple areas, including Sarapol, Rupdia, Bhaturia, Mahidia, and Rajarhat.

They said that while waterlogging has impacted Aman cultivation in the past, Boro farming has always thrived in this beel.

However, over the past few years, 20 to 25 small and large dams have been built without proper planning, blocking the normal water flow. This has led to extended water retention throughout the beel, making it impossible to drain water for Boro cultivation this year.

Farmers Pulak Sarkar and Monir Hossain expressed frustration over the lack of action despite repeated appeals to the agriculture department and the Water Development Board.

"Every year, by this time, we would have completed our Boro plantation. But this year, we have not even been able to prepare the land," said Pulak.

"We have all the necessary resources, yet we are unable to proceed due to the stagnant water. We contacted the authorities to resolve this issue, but no action has been taken so far," added Monir.

Palash Kumar Banerjee, executive engineer of the Jashore Water Development Board, acknowledged the problem, saying that officials have visited the affected areas.

"We are aware of the waterlogging issue in Harina Beel. Experts have assessed the situation, and plans are being made to divert the water to the Mukteshwari River and adjacent canals through an alternative route during the next monsoon. It is expected that the problem will be resolved next year," he said.