Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque on Tuesday said that the government has received an initial report on the damage of Amon paddy and winter vegetables sown in 103 upazilas of 16 districts after being hit by the recent cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul’.
“289,006 hectares of land were damaged, which accounts for 14 percent of the country’s total farmlands,” the minister said during a press briefing at the Secretariat.
The briefing was organised centering the report that exhibited potential damage on various croplands especially in coastal districts across the country which were affected by the cyclone ‘Bulbul’ from November 9 to 10.
The ministry is going to adopt an agricultural rehabilitation programme in the affected areas shortly, after receiving allocation from the Finance Ministry, said the minister, adding that the incumbent government will always stand beside the farmers.
“Bangladesh is a disaster prone country as it is situated in delta geographically. The country witnessed frequent tidal surges, storms and was affected by the worst cyclones in the history,” the minister explained.
The districts which were mostly affected by the ‘Bulbul’ were Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Narail, Barishal, Bhola, Potuakhali, Barguna, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Noakhali, Feni and Laxmipur, he said.
Amon paddy, winter vegetables, mustard, chickling-pea, mung bean and betel leaf were damaged in 289,006 hectares of land, the minister added.
source: UNB
