Rehabilitation of agriculture urgent in flood hit districts
AS flood hits most districts in the south-east and some in the south-western region, farmers appear to be the worst victims of the flooding with major devastation to their crops in the field. A national daily on Thursday reported the inundation of over 145,236 hectares of crop lands in 32 districts where floods have washed away Aman seedbeds and Aman seedlings and Aus crops awaiting harvest have been largely damaged. Many people have become marooned in the flood hit areas. Devastation of vegetables also runs high with their price soaring in city markets. Flood waters have also washed away fish stocks from at least 200 private hatcheries and other water bodies and the loss to the families is feared to be too much.
The situation in Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarbans, Feni and some parts of Comilla is particularly devastating. As it appears farmers need financial assistance and technical supports including free distribution of high yielding seeds and seedlings all the more now to rehabilitate the devastated crops. Health Advisory is also essential to save people from water borne diseases. Needless to say, Aus and Aman are two major crops and even their partial devastation will seriously affect farmers welfare and the overall food security to the nation. The government must take quick steps including distribution of fresh agricultural loans and subsidized fertilizer to help farmers to help them make a turn around again.
Meanwhile, reports of fresh flood in Patuakhali and Barguna districts suggest more areas are falling to flooding and as the situation demands, the field workers of the Department of Agriculture must be around without failing to help the farmers planning fresh plantation in the field. Moreover, marooned people should also be provided with food and pure drinking water and where necessary need to be rescued to safety. There can’t be any slow down of precautionary measures to save food production at this peak plantation season. Agriculture is still the biggest job provider to the rural economy and farmers depend on farming as the only source of their earning. It contributes to over 16 percent of the GDP to suggest that when food production performs well, the overall economic growth also keeps on the high side.
How the people can be helped when the government’s own party men create problems.
The situation in Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarbans, Feni and some parts of Comilla is particularly devastating. As it appears farmers need financial assistance and technical supports including free distribution of high yielding seeds and seedlings all the more now to rehabilitate the devastated crops. Health Advisory is also essential to save people from water borne diseases. Needless to say, Aus and Aman are two major crops and even their partial devastation will seriously affect farmers welfare and the overall food security to the nation. The government must take quick steps including distribution of fresh agricultural loans and subsidized fertilizer to help farmers to help them make a turn around again.
Meanwhile, reports of fresh flood in Patuakhali and Barguna districts suggest more areas are falling to flooding and as the situation demands, the field workers of the Department of Agriculture must be around without failing to help the farmers planning fresh plantation in the field. Moreover, marooned people should also be provided with food and pure drinking water and where necessary need to be rescued to safety. There can’t be any slow down of precautionary measures to save food production at this peak plantation season. Agriculture is still the biggest job provider to the rural economy and farmers depend on farming as the only source of their earning. It contributes to over 16 percent of the GDP to suggest that when food production performs well, the overall economic growth also keeps on the high side.
How the people can be helped when the government’s own party men create problems.
