Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka NewAge, June 4, 2009
The country has suffered a financial loss of about Tk 1,020 crore and a production loss of crops of nearly 3.75 lakh tonnes as over 2.50 lakh hectares of land had been submerged due to the recent devastating cyclone Aila.
The Department of Agricultural Extension disclosed this Wednesday after conducting a final assessment on the extent of damage to the crops.
Various standing crops, including aus seedbeds, aus paddy, boro paddy, jute, chilli, vegetables, nut, palm, mung, betel leaf, banana, papaya and mango, have been damaged as the cyclone Aila hit the south-western parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the DAE has already taken up a rehabilitation programme for T-aman cultivation involving Tk 32.50 crore in upcoming July considering the loss of about 50 per cent crops.
The programme will implement in 12 worst cyclone-hit districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barisal, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barguna, Jhalakati, Chittagong, Lakshmipur and Noakhali.
A high official of the DAE told the news agency that despite the loss of various crops, the government will provide assistance for cultivation of a particular crop like T-aman.
Considering the overall loss by the farmers, the government is likely to continue the programme up to the boro season, the official said adding that sub-assistant officers of the DAE had already prepared lists of the affected farmers.
About 44,082 hectares of land, and over one lakh poor and marginal farmers will be brought under the assistance programme, said the DAE official.
A farmer will get five kgs of seeds, 18 kgs of urea and 8 kgs of triple super phosphate and 9 kgs of muriate of potash for cultivating a bigha of land under the programme.
The government will provide 1,400 tonnes of T-aman seeds, 2,400 tonnes of TSP, 5,000 tonnes of urea and 2,800 tonnes of MoP fertilisers for the farmers.
Besides, the Islamic Development Bank under the Jeddah declaration will provide seeds and fertilisers worth Tk 13.36 crore for the cyclone-hit poor and marginal farmers free of cost.
