Tk3,346cr worth crops ravaged by floods, 14 lakh farmers affected: CAPS
The recent floods have had a devastating impact on the agricultural sector, affecting around 14 lakh farmers and damaging crops worth Tk3,346 crore across the country, according to the Center for Agricultural Policy Studies (CAPS).
The research organisation disclosed the data at a roundtable discussion titled “Post-Flood Agricultural Management” at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Auditorium of the Jatiya Press Club today (6 September).
CAPS data shows that a total of 2,91,333 hectares of paddy fields have been damaged, leading to paddy production losses worth Tk2,519 crore.
Additionally, 19,680 hectares of Aman paddy seedlings were completely destroyed.
Agricultural economist Mizanur Rahman, chairman of CAPS, stated that after paddy, vegetables, including various spices, orchards, summer onions and tomatoes, betel leaves, sugarcane, and other crops, cultivated on 339,382 hectares of land have also been damaged.
“The fisheries and livestock sector suffered losses worth Tk2,000 core. A total of 90,768 tonnes of fish and shrimp, and 3,746 lakh fry and shrimp post-larvae have been destroyed,” he said
Simultaneously, livestock, poultry, milk, and eggs suffered losses of over Tk411 crore, he added.
Speaking as chief guest at the event, Mohammad Shahidul Islam, former director-general of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, called for special attention to small farmers and providing them with assistance and low-interest loans.
“Small livestock and poultry farmers should be provided with low-interest loans to revive the agricultural sector. Incentives should also be provided to the fisheries sector.”
