24.5 lakh livestock and poultry birds died in flood in Feni
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Photo: Barta24.com
Feni: Feni has suffered heavy losses due to heavy rains and heavy floods from the mountains coming down from the upstream of India. Around 24 lakh 12 thousand 396 and poultry birds including cattle, goats, buffaloes, sheep of the district have drowned in the flood water. Out of which 23 lakh 56 thousand 982 poultry birds died, 55 thousand 414 cows-goats and buffalo-sheep died.
The quantity of loss in the livestock sector is Tk. 396 crore 9 lakh 95 thousand 403 according to the District Livestock Office.
Hundreds of acres of pastures were also flooded. The granular feed of animals - grass, straw has been destroyed by water. In this situation, the farmers of the district are in crisis of existence. Farmers went to shelters to escape the flood waters, but many could not take their livestock and poultry. As a result, most of the animals and birds died in the terrible flood.
According to the District Livestock Department, the damage of Tk. 396 crores 9 lakhs 95 thousand 403 has been estimated in the livestock sector so far due to this flood. A total of 55 thousand 414 animals including 38 thousand 731 cattle, 359 buffaloes, 15 thousand 588 goats and 736 sheep died in six upazilas of the district in 39 unions and pourashavas. Also, a total of 23 lakh 56 thousand 982 poultry including 21 lakh 67 thousand 510 chickens and 1 lakh 89 thousand 472 ducks died. The total loss of dead animals is Tk. 308 crore 36 lakh 39 thousand 830 taka.
In Feni, Fulgazi, Parasuhuram and Feni Sadar Upazila Livestock Offices were submerged in flood water. According to the same source, 42 lakh 49 thousand 963 cattle and poultry have been affected by flood in the district. 1 thousand 992 livestock farms have suffered a loss of Tk. 13 crore 17 lakh 39 thousand 200 and 1 thousand 623 poultry farms have suffered a loss of Tk. 10 crore 97 lakh 5 thousand.
Also, 3 thousand 950 tons of animal feed was destroyed. Its market value is Tk. 23 crore 44 lakh 50 thousand taka. Hay worth Tk. 3 crore 81 lakh, animal grass worth Tk. 3 crore 81 lakh 50 thousand has been destroyed in the district. 285 acres of pastures were flooded.
Shakhawat Hossain, a farmer of Nijkunjra village in Feni, said that the chicken was supposed to be sold after a few days. The water came in during the night, I could not move anything. Two and a half thousand chickens, along with food and all other things were washed away in the water. It is not possible to overcome this loss. Now if the opportunity of small loan is given with low interest then many will be able to turn around to some extent.
A farmer named Mubarak Hossain of Fulgazi said, I was handling the poverty of the family somehow by rearing three cows. A sudden flood has thrown everything into disarray. Although the family managed to save their lives by going to a shelter, the cattle and poultry had to be left behind in the flood waters. After the water receded, I returned home and found nothing.
In this regard, the District Livestock Officer Dr. Md. Mozammel Haque said that the livestock sector of the district has suffered great losses due to the severe floods in Feni. So far the damage of Tk. 396 crore 9 lakh 95 thousand 403 has been assessed. It was not possible to reach there as many areas were still under water. Higher authorities have been informed about this.
About helping farmers, he said, 500 kg of food has been distributed in the district in the last few days. Medicines and food are the most needed in this situation. We are trying to stand by farmers by coordinating through various voluntary organizations. He said that if there is any kind of incentive or assistance from the Ministry, it will be delivered to the marginal level. #
