The government has committed to providing easy-term loans to fish farmers who have suffered significant losses due to recent floods, according to Farida Akhtar, Adviser Fisheries and Livestock ministry of the interim government of Bangladesh. This initiative aims to support the recovery of flood affected fish farmers in the Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna divisions.
The recent floods have caused widespread damage across 86 upazilas in 12 districts, severely affecting 180,819 ponds and fish farms. The estimated losses include 90,768 tonnes of fish and shrimp, as well as 337 million units of fish fry and shrimp post-larvae. The overall damage, including infrastructure losses, is valued at approximately USD 85 million.
In addition to the easy-term loans, the government will implement several other recovery measures. These include enhancing flood forecasting systems, conducting training programs, providing infrastructural support for fish farms, and distributing fish fry using unspent funds from previous activities.
The floods have also inflicted considerable losses on livestock, with an estimated USD 34.5 million in damage due to the destruction of feed and other resources. To address these issues, the government will supply animal feed, distribute vaccines to prevent disease outbreaks, and provide grass cuttings to farmers.
This comprehensive support package is designed to help the flood affected fish farmers to recover quickly and ensure the continued growth of the fisheries and livestock sectors in the flood-affected regions.
