Sunamganj farmers worried over fishery lessee's non-cooperation

SYLHET, Dec 29: Five hundred farmers of Sunamganj's two upazilas have expressed their concern regarding the shortage of irrigation water for Boro paddy cultivation on 700 acres of land - as the leaseholder of an adjacent fishery may open the sluice gates too early to benefit his fish cultivation.

The farmers of Sunamganj Sadar and Bishwambarpur upazilas demanded that the leaseholder consults with them before opening the sluice gates, which will help to pick an opening time agreeable to both parties as the lease-holder has the right to the waters of his fishery only. However, farmers alleged that for about four years, the leaseholder and his group were uncooperative to reach a mutual agreement about the opening time and they had arguments over the matter at times. Farmers say that the shortage in water would keep the land unirrigated and Boro paddy is the only crop they are willing to cultivate in the area.

About two weeks ago, the leaseholder had filed a case against the farmers accusing them of creating obstacles in his fish farming.

The farmers submitted a memorandum to Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr. Mohammad Ileas Mia recently, demanding the withdrawal of the case and taking steps for demarcating the area of the leaseholder's fishery, which is next to the Khasiamara canal surrounded by a larger waterbody - the Khorchar haor.

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