Habiganj, Oct 10 (V7N) – A marginal farmer in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj has allegedly suffered losses of around Tk 16 lakh after his tomato crop was damaged by a weedkiller applied instead of an insecticide, leaving him hospitalised amid mounting financial worries.

Giridhan Sarkar, a farmer from Dighirpar village in Andiura Union, had borrowed money from NGOs and other sources to cultivate early-season tomatoes, hoping to repay his debts with the proceeds from the harvest.

Flowers had begun appearing on the plants, and 20 to 30 labourers were working on his land each day. However, the crop across 250 decimals of land was damaged after he sprayed a chemical purchased on the advice of a representative of an agrochemical company, his family alleged.

According to the family, the tomato plants began turning white soon after the chemical was applied, and the damage gradually spread across the field. Some plants also developed rot near their roots.

The incident reportedly occurred after Giridhan noticed an insect infestation in his tomato field on October 7. He went to Bismillah Seed Store in Madhabpur market to purchase a pesticide and consulted Monirul Islam, a representative of Autochemical Company, before buying the product.

The family alleged that the crop damage began after Giridhan sprayed the purchased chemical.

Giridhan had expected to sell the early-season tomatoes at favourable prices and use the proceeds to repay his loans. The destruction of the crop has left him deeply distressed, and his family said he was receiving treatment at Madhabpur Upazila Health Complex.

With the expected income lost, Giridhan and his family are now struggling to determine how they will repay their debts and meet household expenses.

His brother, Raydhan Sarkar, headteacher of Sultanpur High School, submitted written complaints to the upazila executive officer and the upazila agriculture officer, seeking compensation and legal action.

Madhabpur Upazila Executive Officer Md Mehedi Hasan said he had received a complaint and instructed the upazila agriculture officer to conduct an on-site investigation and take necessary action.

He added that the administration was also considering whether the affected farmer could receive assistance through a government support programme.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Sajib Sarkar said an inspection on Thursday found that the tomato plants had been damaged after a weedkiller was applied instead of an insecticide. He added that the farmer had acknowledged applying the product without checking its label.

The matter is being examined further, he said, adding that the seller had been instructed to take steps towards compensating the affected farmer.

Sarkar advised farmers to read product labels carefully before applying agricultural chemicals and to consult sub-assistant agriculture officers when necessary. He said the agriculture department was available to provide technical guidance to farmers.

Giridhan's family is now seeking a fair investigation, accountability and compensation to help the farmer recover from the loss and resume cultivation.

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