With the advent of winter, the three-day nonstop untimely heavy rain caused by the cyclonic storm ‘Jawad’ destroyed many paddy, rabi crops and vegetable fields in mid, south and southwest districts of the country. Besides, the heavy downpour also washed away shrimp gher and fish ponds.
Apart from these, some villages in Khulna’s Koyra Upazila have been flooded as the embankment in the area collapsed due to the cyclonic storm Jawad. Crops and winter vegetables of the coastal districts of Khulna and Barishal, divisions and Chandpur, Cumilla, Faridpur, Manikganj, Narail, Jhenaidah and many other districts of the country were damaged badly.
The government should take necessary
measures to help the affected farmers
as early as possible
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A vast land filled yellow and green paddy, wheat, maize lentil, grass pea, pea peas, black cumin, coriander, onion, garlic, sweet potato, potato, cucumber, carrot, tomato, green chili and other crops have gone under water. And now the paddy, rabi crops and vegetables are rotting as the fields are waterlogged in the low-lying area across the affected districts.
Thus, farmers suffered heavy crop damage as their hopes for good harvest this year were spoiled by heavy rains. When the Covid-19 hit-farmers are struggling to turn around by cultivating various crops and vegetables, the incessant rain washed away everything. Most of the fish farmers and shrimp ghers owners invested money after taking loan from bank. As a result, loan repayment has become a matter of concern to many farmers.
We hope the government will bring the affected farmers under a rehabilitation program as they (farmers) became penniless due to the latest natural disaster. Considering heavy loss to agriculture sector, the agriculture ministry should direct field level officials to immediately prepare crop damage assessment report. And based on the report, stimulus packages, including distribution of fertilisers and seeds and providing cash assistance will also have to be given to help the affected farmers minimise their losses.
We believe the Awami League government is the government which always gives the highest honour to the farmers, following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation who had taken measures giving priority to agriculture and farmers. Therefore, we believe Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led government will take measures whatever necessary in order to help the affected farmers as early as possible.
