The government has launched an emergency assistance programme to help restore the agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors in five flood-affected districts of the Chattogram region, Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said on Thursday.
Under the programme, the government will distribute 327 metric tonnes of paddy seeds to affected farmers, vaccinate 151,599 livestock, and provide 35 lakh takas worth of cattle feed.
The minister announced the measures at a press briefing held at the Chattogram Circuit House to discuss the damage caused by the recent floods triggered by heavy rainfall and the government's post-flood response.
He said preliminary field assessments showed that the fisheries sector had suffered losses exceeding 200 crore takas, while the livestock sector incurred losses of around 77 crore takas across the five districts.
Data collection is still underway to determine the full extent of the damage.
Rashid said widespread damage to seedbeds had created an urgent need for 327 metric tonnes of paddy seeds for rehabilitation.
He noted that the government has sufficient seed stocks and will immediately distribute seeds to farmers whose lands are ready for cultivation.
For farmers whose fields remain unsuitable for planting, the government is preparing emergency seedbeds on vacant public land.
Rice seedlings grown there will be distributed among affected farmers within the next 15 days, he added.
Prioritising livestock health, the minister said flood conditions increase the risk of foot-and-mouth disease. To prevent outbreaks, 151,599 livestock in the affected districts will be vaccinated. The vaccination campaign will begin from tomorrow and is expected to be completed within 15 days.
He also said that as floodwaters had destroyed stored straw and other animal feed, the government had initially allocated 35 lakh takas for cattle feed.
The assistance will be distributed first in the worst-hit upazilas, with additional support to be provided if necessary.
The minister said the government had collected union-level damage data to ensure that relief reaches the worst-affected areas on a priority basis.
He added that every effort would be made to ensure no affected farmer, fish farmer or livestock rearer is left out of government assistance.
The briefing was attended by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin, Department of Agricultural Extension Director General Md Abdur Rahim, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah, Department of Livestock Services Director Dr Md Boyzar Rahman, Chattogram Divisional Fisheries Director Md Anwar Hossain, and other senior officials.