Another flood will make us look for alternative to Aman: Agri minister

Losses in agriculture and livestock in floods: 

• Crops worth Tk1,323 crore ruined 
• 12.72 lakh farmers affected
• Aush paddy worth Tk334 crore, and Aman paddy worth Tk380 crore ruined
• Aman seedbed in 7,918 hectare land ruined
• Vegetables worth Tk235 crore ruined
• Livestock worth more than Tk740 crore ruined

Floods in three phases this year have harmed the Aush paddy, Aman paddy, and jute the most. Farmers in affected areas have started growing Aman again, but there is a chance of another flood which might make the Aman harvest in those areas impossible. 
 
This would not only disrupt the second largest production of paddy after Boro, it would also create a crisis of food security which might make us look for alternative crops to Aman, said Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque in an online press briefing on Wednesday. 

The agriculture minister said crops worth Tk1,323 crore were ruined in the three phases of the floods. Meanwhile, the Centre for Policy Dialogue said the livestock sector has suffered a loss of Tk740 crore in the floods. 

Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque said, "Cultivating Aman usually yields 1.5-1.6 crore tonnes of paddy. We are helping farmers in affected areas with fertilisers and seeds to produce Aman. However, we will have to think of cultivating other crops if there is another flood."

"The government has made a decision in principle to import rice, and the food ministry has taken preparation in this regard. If we need it, we will decide when to import how much rice," he added.
 
According to the press briefing, in the three phases the floods have affected 12.72 lakh farmers in 37 districts.

Floods harmed the cultivation of Aush paddy on 32,213 hectares of land, Aman paddy on 70,820 hectares, and Aman seedbed on 7,918 hectares.

Regarding the stimulus packages, the minister said agricultural material worth Tk17.54 crore were distributed among 2.39 lakh small and marginal farmers. 

Seeds of lal-shak (red amaranth), data-shak (stem amaranth), spinach, yardlong beans, beans, cucumber, and gourd worth 10.27 crore were also distributed for free among 1.52 lakh farmers under the stimulus package.

Besides, work is going on to grow and distribute Aman paddy sapling for free. Farmers are receiving these saplings and planting them. 

Around 50,000 farmers in the areas where cultivation of Aman is not possible for floods, have received seeds of black legume, and fertilisers worth Tk3.82 crore.

The minister said projects worth Tk75 crore under the stimulus are also under process. Around 9.29 lakh farmers will receive seeds of wheat, mustard, peanut, sunflower, onion, pepper, tomato, etc. under these projects.