Dhaka, April 12 -- The severe fuel crisis in Rangpur could lead to devastation in its agriculture. A diesel shortage has brought irrigation pumps to the verge of shutting down. Boro paddy fields are drying up due to lack of water, leaving farmers anxious.

The Department of Agricultural Extension fears that production will be heavily disrupted if the land is not irrigated on time.

Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ruhul Amin has said that diesel supply will be increased quickly to overcome the crisis.

On Saturday, most of the irrigation pumps in Gangachara Upazila were found to have stopped working due to lack of diesel. Water was not being supplied to the land on time. This has raised the risk of crop damage.

Farmers say that regul...