Although the flood has caused damage, especially to crops, in different parts of the country but government officials said it will not interrupt production in the country.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), incentives are being given to overcome the disaster. Suggestions and other assistance for planting are also being given.
DAE director general Md Asadullah told Bangladesh Post, “Around 66000 hectares of low land had been damaged due to the flood. However, the number is very nominal. We are collecting information from there, and incentives and others are being provided to those particular areas and farmers.”
“Every year flood is a regular scenario in our country. This year as some lowlands were brought under cultivation, flood has hit there hard, but not to a great extent. Those will not affect our production,” Asadullah added.
When asked whether seed beds are largely affected he replied, “This year we have around 111 percent seed beds. Floods cannot damage much of it. We have more seed beds than our target. Total production will not be hampered”.
The flood situation has improved with the reduction of water in the major rivers of the country. However, with the reduction of water, the picture of loss is emerging.
Crops and fruits on about 46,000 hectares of land in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Natore and Faridpur have been destroyed by flood water.
In Kurigram, about 27,000 hectares of crops have been damaged by flood waters this year. These include 26,405 hectares of transplanted aman, 285 hectares of vegetables and 115 hectares of seedbeds. The crops that the farmers dreamed of making a living from have been washed away by the floods.
Kurigram Khamarbari Deputy Director Manjurul Haque said, “Following the improved flood situation, farmers have already started work in their respective fields. We are providing them seed beds at an early stage. Besides, we are also helping them to plant paddy in different lands where the situation has improved.”
The agriculture department said farmers are being given government incentives to make up for the loss. Arrangements have been made for rehabilitation. As a result, it will be possible to overcome the majority of losses.
Meanwhile, in Gaibandha, about 15,000 hectares of land including aman paddy seedbed, transplanted aman and vegetable fields have been damaged. More than 50 lakh farmers are spending their days in despair.
Officials of the DAE said that they would provide various kinds of assistance and advice to the farmers, including fodder, to make the ongoing Aman cultivation uninterrupted.
On the other hand, crops and fruits of more than 1500 acres of land in 16 chars of 4 unions of Lalpur upazila of Natore have been destroyed. The farmers of the char areas are in trouble with loans from various organizations. Farmers demanded to waive their debt.
In addition, the floods in Faridpur have damaged 2,000 hectares of crops and fruits. The damage has been done in Padma, Madhumati and Arial Khan basins. These include 1,700 hectares of land under aus paddy and transplanted aman, 76 hectares under vegetables, 50 hectares under pepper and 26 hectares others.
