Floods cause Tk3,346cr agri loss, affect 14 lakh farmers 

The recent floods in Bangladesh have caused Tk3,346 crore losses to agriculture, affecting 14 lakh farmers, reports the Center for Agricultural Policy Studies.

During a roundtable, "Post-Flood Agricultural Management", at the National Press Club today (6 September), CAPS Chairman Mizanur Rahman said that the total loss in paddy production alone was estimated at Tk2,519 crore.

He said that 291,333 hectares of paddy fields and 19,680 hectares of Aman paddy seedbeds have been damaged by the floods.

At the roundtable, experts also outlined ten recommendations to mitigate the damage caused by the floods.

Mizanur Rahman, a prominent agricultural economist, noted that after paddy, vegetables were the most severely affected.

"A total of 339,382 hectares of land, including areas with various spices, fruits, vegetables, betel leaves, and sugarcane planted in them, were affected," he said.

He reported a loss of Tk2,000 crore in the fisheries and livestock sectors.

"The fisheries sector alone suffered losses amounting to Tk1,590.36 lakh, with damage to 180,000 ponds, enclosures, and farms. The quantity of damaged fish and shrimp reached 90,768 tonnes, along with 3,746 lakh fry and post-larvae shrimp," he said.

He also added that the livestock sector suffered losses of over Tk411 crore, including damage to cattle, poultry, milk and eggs.

The floods have inundated 73 upazilas in 11 districts, including Feni and Noakhali, leaving more than 10 lakh families stranded.

"So far, 71 people have died, and 50.24 lakh people have been affected," said the organisation chairman.

He also reported that 7,722 kilometres of roads, 1,101 bridges and culverts, and flood control embankments had also been damaged.

The roundtable discussion addressed various challenges and proposed immediate, short-term, medium-term, and long-term actions to manage the post-flood recovery process.

In his keynote address, Mohammad Shahidul Islam, former director general of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, argued that the floods were not natural but a result of deliberate water releases from Tripura, India. 

"The people of this region have never seen such floods. In this situation, I urge paying special attention to small farmers and providing them with assistance and low-interest loans. We need to revive the agricultural sector by supporting small livestock and poultry farmers and offering incentives to the fisheries sector," he said.

Dr Mohammad Ruhul Amin, executive director of CAPS, presented ten recommendations at the roundtable on post-flood recovery.

He suggested promptly assessing crop damage in affected areas and initiating rehabilitation work. Additionally, he advocated planning and implementing early winter crop cultivation and producing seedlings of high-yielding Aman paddy on elevated land.

Amin underscored the need for government agencies to participate in emergency rehabilitation efforts actively through providing quality seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other essential resources.

He also called for assessing and rehabilitating fisheries and livestock, ensuring emergency medical care for animals, and repairing damaged infrastructure.

Additionally, Amin recommended arranging crop loans for farmers and introducing crop insurance to support their recovery.

Attendees at the meeting included Professor Firoz Mahmud from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, a former scientist from the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, a former head of the Department of Agricultural Extension, and a professor from Patuakhali Science and Technology University. 

Among other participants at the meeting were Professor Firoz Mahmud from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, former chief scientific officer of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Mosharraf Hossain, former director general of the Department of Agricultural Extension Mohammad Mohsin and Professor Mamunur Rashid from Patuakhali Science and Technology University.