Farmer arrives at filling station carrying shallow pump machine on shoulder

BD Digest Report:
Farmers in Shariatpur are suffering due to fuel oil shortage and supply problems. Unable to carry out irrigation work, many are forced to go to filling stations carrying shallow machines on their shoulders to collect oil. A video of such a situation has created widespread discussion and criticism across the country after it went viral on social media.

In the video, some farmers are seen unloading their shallow irrigation machines and carrying them on their shoulders to a filling station. They are also seen preparing to fill the machines with oil directly.

It is learnt that on the morning of April 18, these farmers went to M/s Chokdar Filling Station located in Dogri Bazar, Naria Upazila, Shariatpur to collect oil. They thought that since oil was not supplied in bottles or drums, they would easily get oil if they went with a machine. Later, they returned home with the oil.

According to filling station sources, fuel oil is not sold in open containers without permission as per government regulations. However, if permission is granted by the concerned department for agricultural use, oil is supplied as per the prescribed rules.

Abdul Jabbar, the station’s manager, said, “Many farmers still think that oil is not supplied in bottles. Although there was such a ban earlier, later, under the administration’s instructions, limited supply of oil in bottles has started for the benefit of farmers. Still, due to misconceptions, some are coming to the pump carrying generators and others carrying shallow machines.”

Meanwhile, not only in Shariatpur, farmers in different parts of the country have been facing extreme hardship due to the fuel oil crisis. There is a risk that many lands will remain uncultivated due to the lack of sufficient water for irrigation.

The current severe heatwave has further complicated the situation. Farmers complain that if irrigation is not provided on time, there is a risk of crop damage. On the other hand, there is also a shortage of electricity supply, with load shedding lasting 10 to 12 hours day and night, disrupting the electric irrigation system.

Farmers claim that if fuel oil supply is not quickly normalized and uninterrupted electricity is not ensured, there could be a major crisis in food production in the upcoming season.