Dhaka: The country's fisheries and livestock sector suffered significant losses due to the floods in August, with the total damage amounting to Taka 2,327 crore. This information was shared by fisheries and livestock adviser Farida Akhter during a press conference at the ministry, where she highlighted the impact of the floods on the sector and outlined the government's response. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the floods resulted in a Taka 1,899 crore loss in the fisheries sector and a Taka 428 crore loss in the livestock sector. The devastation affected 1,97,166 ponds and hatcheries, and led to the loss of 1,07,517 metric tons of fish and shrimp, along with 44 crore fish-fries in 88 upazilas across 13 districts. In the livestock sector, the floods claimed 2.60 lakh cattle heads, 8,000 buffaloes, 93,000 goats, 10,000 sheep, 34.21 lakh poultry, and 4.60 lakh ducks. Additionally, the death toll included 39,000 cattle, 16,000 goats, 21 lakh poultry flocks, and 2 lakh ducks. The floods also affected nearly 7,82,000 farming families nationwide. Under the flood rehabilitation program, Farida Akhter noted that the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) has distributed various resources, including 220 metric tons of cereal animal feed, 75 MT straw, 357 MT silage, and 60,000 grass cutters. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is distributing animal feed to 12,000 farmers, and has initiated a program to provide 75 kg of cattle feed to each of 8,233 small farmers. To assist fisheries farmers, the government has released 51 tons of fish fries, valued at over Taka 2 crore, into the ponds of 8,488 beneficiary fish farmers in 88 upazilas across 12 districts. Additionally, Krishi Bank and other non-government microcredit agencies have been encouraged to offer financial support to affected fish farmers under favorable terms. The press briefing was attended by additional fisheries and livestock secretary ATM Mostafa Kamal, additional secretary Syeda Nawara Jahan, Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) Chairman Suraiya Akhter Jahan, Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Director General Dr. Mohammad Reazul Huq, Additional Director General of the Department of Fisheries (DoF) Dr. M Abdur Rauf, and other officials.
