Mango Cultivation Hit as Fuel Denied Without Agricultural Card, Spraying Halted

❐ Local correspondent

It has become extremely urgent to spray fungicides on mango orchards in Chapainawabganj, which were damaged by recent hailstorms. However, due to the fuel crisis, many farmers and orchard owners are unable to do this necessary work.

Gardeners complain that currently many pumps are selling fuel oil using an app through agricultural cards. But since most mango farmers do not have agricultural cards, they are unable to collect the oil. As a result, garden maintenance activities have almost come to a standstill.

Farmers say they fear further damage to mangoes if fungicides are not applied quickly after the hailstorm. The fuel crisis has created new concerns for them.

However, the local administration said that this measure is not to harass farmers, but to bring discipline in fuel supply. It has also been claimed that even if there is no agricultural card, there is an opportunity to procure oil through alternative systems.

Maruf Afzal Rajan, Executive Officer of Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila, said that if farmers do not have an agricultural card, they can collect fuel oil by obtaining a special certificate from the relevant agricultural office.

However, mango farmers demand that fuel oil supply be ensured quickly and easily in emergency situations. They fear that the damage to the orchards could increase further if effective steps are not taken to reduce bureaucratic complications.