Kushtia, Nov. 6 -- Around 1,250 hectares of cultivable land in Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia remain waterlogged for seven to eight months every year, causing an estimated annual loss of Tk 35 crore in potential agricultural production.

The upazila, surrounded by the Padma, Gorai, Kaliganga and Dakua rivers, has around 18,240 hectares of cultivable land. Farmers can grow crops on the waterlogged land only once a year during the Boro season, producing around 6,225 tonnes of paddy.

If the waterlogging problem is resolved, the land could produce an additional 10,000 tonnes of paddy and other crops during the Aman and Aus seasons, with an estimated market value of Tk 35 crore.

Agricultural officials and local farmers say food production cou...