Md. Mizanur Rahman, Chapainawabganj: Farmers who own mango and paddy fields near a brick kiln in Chaudala, Chapainawabganj, have received compensation for crop damage. The kiln owners paid cash compensation through local Union Parishad representatives.

Farmers say this is the first time compensation has been paid, even though crops around more than 150 brick kilns across the district suffer extensive damage every year.

According to reports, ANF Bricks, located in Nandolalpur field of Chaudala Union, Gomastapur upazila, has been operating for nearly 18 years. This year, paddy and mango crops in the area adjacent to the kiln were damaged due to storms and other natural disasters. The farmers informed the Union Parishad, and under the leadership of a UP member, the extent of the damage was assessed and compensation was paid. Local farmers expressed satisfaction with the move.

Farmers say mango, the district’s main cash crop, has long suffered heavy losses due to smoke from brick kilns. Despite thousands of complaints, no action was taken. This is the first time farmers in the district have received full compensation. Those worst affected received Tk 12,000 per bigha for paddy land. Compensation was paid based on-site damage assessments led by the UP member. Farmers demanded that the same arrangement be extended to affected farmers around the district’s 150-plus brick kilns.

Tajemul Haque, a farmer from Nandolalpur village in Chaudala Union, said, “I have 2 bighas of paddy and 7 bighas of mango orchard next to the brick kiln. The paddy was more damaged. Later, under the UP member’s leadership, we were paid compensation according to the amount we claimed. This initiative is undoubtedly good, because for years we suffered losses without getting any compensation.”

Md. Dhulu, a farmer from Gurjaghat area of Chaudala with 2 bighas of paddy near the kiln, said, “Some damage is normal when a brick kiln is nearby. But since ANF Bricks uses coal, the damage is relatively less. Still, the kiln owner sat down and paid compensation for the loss that occurred. They covered the full cost of fertilizer and pesticides for the land.”

Nazmul Alam, one of the proprietors of ANF Bricks, said, “We paid compensation to every farmer who informed us about crop damage. In fact, nearly all affected people around the kiln have been compensated. Since these farmers are from our own area, we took the initiative. We are the first to do this, so that others may follow. Considering environmental damage, we don’t even burn wood in our kiln.”

Helal Uddin, UP member of Ward 8 of Chaudala Union Parishad, said that after farmers reported the damage, a meeting was held with local dignitaries to resolve the issue. “After hearing the farmers, the committee inspected the site, assessed the damage, and handed over the compensation. After receiving the cash, the farmers said they had no further complaints. More than 30 paddy farmers and over 20 mango farmers received compensation,” he said.

Gomastapur Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Saklain Hossain said he had visited the kiln area. “Several farmers told us they have received their compensation. Smoke from brick kilns often damages paddy, mango, and other crops. Such an exceptional initiative will help farmers reduce losses and even benefit to some extent,” he said.