Crops worth over Tk500cr damaged by floods in 26 districts

Highlights

• The amount of crop losses is over Tk500 crore
• Affected crops include Aus, Aman, vegetables, jute, and nuts
• The amount of affected cropland is 1.59 lakh hectares

The two phases of recent flooding have damaged various crops including Aus, Aman, vegetables, jute, and nuts in some 1.59 lakh hectares of agricultural land in 26 districts of the country.

The estimated amount of the total crop losses is more than Tk500 crore, according to sources at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Monday exchanged views with agriculture officials over the damages caused by the flood, and discussed ways to overcome the losses.

During the conference from the ministry, he said different types of assistance would be provided to the farmers affected by the floods.

It was informed in the meeting that 76,210 hectares of land were affected in 14 districts in the first phase of the flooding.

Of the affected land, 41,917 hectares were completely damaged. There were 11 crops in those lands.

In monetary terms, the loss is about Tk349 crore, while the number of affected farmers was 3.44 lakh. 

The second phase of the flood has affected 12 new districts. Some 83,000 hectares of cropland were damaged, where there were 13 types of crops. The amount of damaged crops is yet to be determined. 

However, Agriculture Secretary Md Nasiruzzaman told The Business Standard, "So far, we have received an estimated loss of Tk496 crore in the two phases of the flood."

"If the flood situation does not deteriorate further, we can overcome the damages by the programmes taken by the Ministry of Agriculture, and it will also be possible to achieve the Aman target," said Minister Abdur Razzaque.

"Preparations are underway to reduce the losses caused by the flood by making alternative seedbeds, cultivating alternative crops in the affected lands and conducting regular weather monitoring. At the same time, there are sufficient stocks of seeds to be distributed among the affected farmers to prepare new seedbeds quickly," he added.

Besides, initiatives have been taken to produce of Aman paddy seedlings worth around Tk2.15 crore on farmers' land in the most affected districts, he maintained.

The seedlings will be distributed for free among the affected marginal and small farmers.

Initiatives have also been taken to produce Aman seedlings worth around Tk70 lakh in floating beds, produce Aman seedlings worth Tk54 lakh in trays through rice transplanters. The seedlings will be distributed among the affected farmers for free of cost.

If Aman cultivation is not possible in the affected areas, the government will provide black legume seeds and fertilisers worth Tk3.82 crore among 50,000 farmers.