Delay In Agri Rehabilitation In 11 Sidr-hit Dists
Food yield may fall by 3 lakh tonnes this season
Agriculture rehabilitation programme in Sidr affected areas of 11 districts under Barisal Agriculture Extension Department (AED) is yet to start, posing the risk of a production loss of around three lakh tonne food grain in the region during the coming winter season.
The region saw a yearly surplus of around five lakh tonnes food grains in previous years.
More than 6.67 lakh tonnes of agricultural productions on 4.10 lakh acres of cultivated lands have been reported damaged by Sidr in those 11 districts.
Disclosing these facts, Deputy Director in charge of Barisal Agricultural Extension Department (AED) they already sent reports of damage to the higher authority. Rehabilitation programmes are yet to be started due to delay in providing funds as the agriculture ministry is asking for details of each affected person.
The ministry has instructed the AED to send names, addresses and other details of the Sidr affected 15.5 lakh farmers of the region but it is not possible to send the details within a short period.
AED sources said Ropa Aman, Boro and wheat seedbeds, pulses, vegetables, mustard, betel nut, coconut, betel leaf and other crops have been badly damaged by Sidr in 72 upazilas of 12 districts, of which 67 upazilas of 11 districts belong to Barisal AED.
Cultivation of paddy, wheat and different types of winter crops of these Sidr affected areas depend on implementation of immediate rehabilitation programmes in agriculture sectors.
Rescheduling of old and distribution of new long term, interest-free or low interest agriculture loans, as well as providing power pumps for irrigation, power tiller for cultivation, seeds and saplings for Boro and Irri paddy and wheat, and supply of fertilisers, pesticides, fuel and energy are also urgently needed under agricultural rehabilitation programmes.
Besides, more than two lakh hectares of agricultural lands have been affected by salinity from surging sea water that engulfed river banks and lands inside the embankments of coastal region during the Sidr, AED sources said.
Cultivation of crops on these lands may not be possible for next two to four seasons due to the salinity and further delay in implementations of agricultural rehabilitation programmes may add to production deficit, they added.
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