Govt launches emergency support for flood-hit farmers in Chattogram region

The government has launched an emergency support programme to restore the agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors in five flood-affected districts of the Chattogram region, Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid said on Thursday.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Chattogram Circuit House, the minister said preliminary field-level assessments estimated losses of more than Tk 200 crore in the fisheries sector and around Tk 77 crore in the livestock sector across the five districts.

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To support affected farmers, the government will distribute 327 metric tonnes of paddy seed, vaccinate 151,599 livestock and provide cattle feed worth Tk 35 lakh, he said.

The minister said the floods had caused extensive damage to seedbeds, requiring 327 metric tonnes of paddy seed for rehabilitation. He added that the government has sufficient seed in stock and will immediately distribute it to farmers whose land is ready for sowing.

For farmers whose land remains unsuitable, emergency seedbeds are being prepared on vacant government land. Seedlings from those nurseries will be distributed within the next 15 days, he added.

Highlighting concerns over animal health, the minister said the risk of foot-and-mouth disease increases after floods. A vaccination campaign covering 151,599 livestock in the affected districts will begin tomorrow and is expected to be completed within 15 days.

He also said the floods had destroyed large quantities of straw and other animal feed, prompting the government to allocate cattle feed worth Tk 35 lakh for immediate distribution in the worst-hit upazilas. Additional support will be provided in phases if required.

The minister said assistance will be prioritised based on union-wise damage assessments to ensure that no affected farmer, fish farmer or livestock owner is left without government support.

This campaign will begin on Friday, with a target of completing it within 15 days.

Seed will be supplied immediately to farmers whose land has become suitable for sowing.

The minister said the government has collected damage assessment data by union. Areas with greater losses will receive assistance on a priority basis.

The government is placing the utmost importance on ensuring that no affected farmer, fish farmer, or livestock keeper is deprived of government assistance, he added.