Floods cause Tk400cr losses to fisheries sector

Floods that submerged vast areas including Chattogram and Sylhet have caused losses of nearly Tk400 crore in the fisheries sector, while crops on around 115,000 hectares of land in 43 districts have been damaged.

Around 62,500 hectares of Aush and Aman seedbeds have been inundated. Vegetable fields have also been damaged by the floods.

The agriculture, fisheries and livestock departments came up with the information.

Although floodwaters have started to recede in many areas, the impact on the agriculture sector remains severe. Seedbeds and vegetable fields have been submerged, fish enclosures washed away, and livestock farmers have also been facing difficulties.

Data from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) shows that more than 500,000 farmers have been affected by the floods. The worst-hit districts include Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Noakhali and Jashore, among 16 severely affected districts.

The DAE said crops on 107,425 hectares of land have been damaged.

The Department of Fisheries said fish and shrimp fry were washed away by floodwaters, causing losses of more than Tk400 crore in the sector.

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Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said initiatives have been taken to prepare seedbeds on government land to help affected farmers recover from the losses. The seedlings produced there will be distributed among farmers free of cost.

Former agriculture secretary Anwar Faruk stressed the need for coordination among all relevant departments to ensure effective disaster management and prevent wastage of funds.

He also called for stronger early warning systems and greater focus on climate-resilient agriculture to tackle future disasters.