The government has taken an initiative to restore the livelihoods of some one million people who were greatly affected by this year’s floods.
In this regard, an agricultural incentive program has been proposed by setting up a family nutrition garden program in the fiscal year 2020-21 to ensure employment of flood-affected people.
Under the proposed initiative, a total of 4 lakh 83 thousand 600 farmers in 4,596 unions under 491 upazilas in 64 districts and 140 municipalities will receive free seeds, saplings, and fertilizers, worth Tk152.91 crore.
Asking all departments of the ministry to remain active amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzak told Bangla Tribune: “The government will stand beside farmers to uphold the continuing trend of increasing production. This initiative will help recover from the damage caused by the floods. And through these programs, employment of about one million people of the country can be ensured.”
The minister also said the floods mostly affected 32,213 hectares of land of Aush paddy, 60,720 hectares of Aman paddy, and 8,917 hectares of Aman seedbeds. In terms of money, Aush paddy worth Tk334 crore, Aman paddy worth Tk360 crore, vegetables worth Tk235 crore and jute worth Tk211 crore were lost in the floods.
He also informed that till now, agricultural supplies worth Tk18.54 crore have been distributed among 2 lakh 39 thousand 631 affected small and marginal farmers. Under the scheme, 1 lakh 52 thousand farmers received seeds of various vegetables, worth Tk10.26 crore, free of cost, for short-term and medium-term cultivation.
Besides, in the flood-affected areas where Aman cultivation was not possible, some Tk3.62 crore was distributed among 50,000 farmers in 35 districts while another 50,000 farmers received free lentil seeds, DAP and MOP fertilizers, worth Tk3.62 crore.
Under the vegetable-nutrition garden establishment program, a total of 1 lakh 41 thousand 692 farmers in 64 districts were provided with free seeds, saplings and fertilizers, worth Tk36 crore 36 lakh 22 thousand, the minister added.
About 1.2 million people were adversely affected in Jamalpur, Sirajganj, Kurigram, and Gaibandha areas of the country, among others, by ravaging floods this year.
