Flood-affected Bogra cultivators get govt aid to recoup losses

BOGRA, Sep 28: A good number of flood-hit peasants in the district received government aid to recoup losses.

The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office said, "The government has provided seeds and fertiliser to 22,850 flood-affected farmers as part of its rehabilitation programme.

"Farmers upazila-level rehabilitation committees have prepared lists of the affected-farmers of the district." DAE official added.

The farmers have received some 20 kgs of wheat seeds, 2.0 kgs of maize, 1.0 kg of mustard, 10 kgs of peanuts and 5.0 kgs of lentils free of cost, said deputy director of DAE Protul Chandra Sarker.

He further said, "Currently we are distributing 5.0 kgs of sesame seeds. The programme will conclude through distribution of seed of bean next February."

Recent floods damaged crops worth of Tk 4,500 million in this district. The standing crops on some 36,290 hectares of land went under water. Of this, 34,000 hectares was of T-Aman crop.

Marginal farmer, Kalimuddin Pramanik of Dharabarshar char, said, "All the crops I sowed went under water. Now, I have no money to buy new seeds. Yet the season for sowing Chilli crops is also passing by."

Another farmer, Jamtu of Dharabarshar char, said he does not know how he would get the seeds and fertiliser being provided by the government.

Pratul Chandra said to recoup losses the authority concerned should expand the assistance immediately.

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