Flood-affected farmers start crop cultivation
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
SHERPUR, Aug 28 (UNB): With the recession of floodwater, the farmers have already started crop cultivation to recoup the losses caused by heavy monsoon and onrush of hill waters.
Though the government has allocated over Tk 8.84 million as agricultural assistance for 8,700 flood-affected farmers of the district, they have already started cultivation instead of waiting for the allocated money.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources said flood damaged standing crops and seedbeds on 8,822 hectares of land incurring loss to 64,480 farmers worth of Tk 238.70 million in this year.
After the recession of floodwater, farmers returned to their field but they are facing acute scarcity of seeds.
At present, farmers are buying per packet of seed of 4.5 kilograms between Tk 300 and Tk 400 from the local markets and are busy cultivating their land ignoring the high price.
Lal Miah, farmer of Ghugurakandi village under Sadar Upazila, said flood damaged his Aman seedbeds on three bighas of land.
"I don't need any relief. I want Aman seeds at fair price," he said.
Deputy Director of DAE Jasimuddin said though the flood prevented them from cultivating the land, farmers have already cultivated aman on 74 per cent of the targeted land after water receded from their cropland.
He said the government has prepared seedbeds on 150 hectares of land for distributing the seedlings among the flood-affected farmers free of cost.
Though the government has allocated over Tk 8.84 million as agricultural assistance for 8,700 flood-affected farmers of the district, they have already started cultivation instead of waiting for the allocated money.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources said flood damaged standing crops and seedbeds on 8,822 hectares of land incurring loss to 64,480 farmers worth of Tk 238.70 million in this year.
After the recession of floodwater, farmers returned to their field but they are facing acute scarcity of seeds.
At present, farmers are buying per packet of seed of 4.5 kilograms between Tk 300 and Tk 400 from the local markets and are busy cultivating their land ignoring the high price.
Lal Miah, farmer of Ghugurakandi village under Sadar Upazila, said flood damaged his Aman seedbeds on three bighas of land.
"I don't need any relief. I want Aman seeds at fair price," he said.
Deputy Director of DAE Jasimuddin said though the flood prevented them from cultivating the land, farmers have already cultivated aman on 74 per cent of the targeted land after water receded from their cropland.
He said the government has prepared seedbeds on 150 hectares of land for distributing the seedlings among the flood-affected farmers free of cost.