Farmers urged to cultivate climate-resilient crops in Patuakhali

Bashundhara Shuvosangho on Friday organised an awareness meeting in Rangabali upazila of Patuakhali, urging farmers to cultivate salt, drought, excessive rainfall and waterlogging-tolerant rice and other crops to cope with climate change.
The meeting was held at the courtyard of Noyabhanguni Government Primary School in Chhotabaishdia Union, while local farmers attended the programme.
Speakers said climate change is posing growing risks to coastal agriculture due to erratic rainfall, prolonged waterlogging, rising temperatures, salinity and natural disasters, stressing the need for climate-resilient crop varieties, proper water management, modern technologies, organic fertilisers and crop diversification to sustain production.
They also urged farmers to select varieties suitable for local conditions and seasons, sow seeds at the right time and consult the Department of Agricultural Extension. Farmers called for hands-on training and quality climate-resilient seeds.
Farmer Sultan Khalifa said erratic rainfall and sudden heavy rain damage seedlings, requiring climate-resilient varieties. Another farmer Md Nannu Boyati said salinity reduces yields and urged training and quality seeds of tolerant varieties.
Rangabali branch Coordinator M. Sohel presided over the meeting. Rangabali Press Club President Kamrul Hasan was the chief guest, while Village Education Resource Center (VERC) Upazila Coordinator Mohsin Talukdar was the keynote speaker.
Among others present were Nagorik Television’s Rangabali Correspondent Tuhin Raj, former Shuvosangho member Abdur Rab Hawladar, and other local farmers.