Climate change has adversely affected Jhum farming in Bandarban Hill Tracts, Bangladesh
The Bengali calendar says that the month of Shravan (Late Rainy Season) is going on now. Nature is now supposed to refresh herself by raining.
However, there is no rain in the hilly district of Bandarban, Bangladesh, during the entire monsoon season. All crops, including Jhum farm paddy, are drying up due to the sun’s intense heat.
The green crops of Jhum farm on the hill slopes are turning yellow daily. In addition, if the weather is like this for a few days, then the profit from Jhum farming is far from possible. On the contrary, the farmers fear huge losses.
Around the entire hill, tracts of Bangladesh’s crops are drying due to lack of rain and intense sun. The roots of some paddy crops have turned yellow, and those are about to die. Meanwhile, the sun’s extreme heat and the dry wind the hills slopes’ crops make, including paddy, even drier.
A Jhum farmer of hill track said that Jhum crops grow in the rains of the rainy season. The harvest will begin in the first week of Bhadra (at the beginning of autumn).
Nevertheless, it has not rained in full monsoon. The Jhum crops have grown as much as they have due to autumn rains.
However, the Jhum farmers are disappointed because there is no rain. There will be many losses.
As main crops on three and a half acres of land, her Jhum crops consist of paddy, sesame, and linseed have all faded in the sun’s heat.
Maung Marma, a Jhum farmer, said, “The crops are fresh from night till morning. Then the trees raised their heads a little. However, as the day progresses, the tree falls. If it does not rain within a week, even the rain at the end of the rainy season will not be useful.”
Chingklang Mro of Chimbuk Hills said, “The Jhum farmers are all waiting for the rain. Forty crops, including pepper, sesame, linseed, and corn, are available, but they mainly cultivate rice. If there is no paddy due to lack of rain, there will be no option but to starve.”
Officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension say that Jhum cultivation has increased in Bandarban this year. 21 thousand 887 acres of land have been cultivated in seven Upazilas of the district. Last year, 21 thousand 767 acres of land had grown.
Most people in remote areas are still dependent on Jhum farming. They mainly cultivate Jhum for paddy production. More cultivation has been done in the remote Thanchi of the district. This year there are 6 thousand 337 acres of Jhum cultivation.
Omar Farooq, Agriculture Officer of Bandarban Sadar Upazila, said, “Despite the increase in Jhum farming this year, there is a risk that the yield will not be good due to the lack of timely rains.
Delayed sowing at the start of the season due to late rains. If such weather remains unchanged, there is little chance of a good yield.”
