Zakir Azad, Cumilla

In an attempt to turn around, the farmers of Cumilla have suffered a loss of 8.5 billion taka in the agricultural sector due to the Cumilla flood. About 64 thousand hectares of land has been affected by floods. Vast areas of Burichong, Brahmanpara, Debidwar, Manoharganj upazilas of Cumilla are still submerged under water.

However, as soon as the flood water recedes, the farmers are trying to turn around. In order to make use of the Aman rice season, even in the midst of the crisis, they have prepared seedbeds and collected seedlings at high prices.

The agriculture department says the alluvium from the river breaks could be a boon for farmers. Necessary measures have been taken by the government to supply sufficient fertilizer and seeds free of cost. According to sources from the Agriculture Office, 20,600 hectares of Ropa Aman and 22,100 hectares of Ropa Aush have been damaged in the district. In addition, 4,500 hectares of Ropa Aman seedbeds have been damaged.

It has been seen on the ground that Cumillas agriculture has suffered the most damage in the recent catastrophic floods. Aush's mature paddy and Rop Aman seedbeds were the worst affected. In some places, the ripe rice has been buried under the silt, and in some places, the crops have rotted in the ground due to water retention for a long time. Vegetables were eaten by the flood. Dead vegetable plants are hanging from the loft. Still, the cultivation of the land cannot be started due to the accumulation of water in some places.

Many poor farmers have lost their houses and crops. However, many people are hoping again - as the water recedes, they have immediately prepared the land and started planting seedlings. They have come to the field to catch the season despite the destruction of seedbeds due to floods, the crisis of fodder and the high cost of collecting seedlings. The hope of the affected farmers is that with proper government support, it will be possible to deal with the food crisis. In an attempt to turn around, farmers of Cumilla, farmer Abdus Salam of Burburiya village of Burichong upazila of Cumilla said that the paddy harvest was supposed to take place on August 23. It was all over the night before.

The fish in the pond is over, there is no rice in the land. Rafiqul Islam, a farmer in Miabazar area of Chauddagram upazila, said that all the plants have been destroyed due to water accumulation in my land. As the water has receded, I am getting ready to plant again. I have brought seedlings next to the land and kept them in stock. Although we have to bring seedlings from far away at double the price, we are trying to catch the season.

Meanwhile, the flood alluvium can be a blessing to the farmers even in the flood crisis, said the Agriculture Department. But in that case, the help of soil research center can be taken. Apart from this, free seeds and fertilizers will be given to the affected people, said Mohammad Ayub Mahmud, Deputy Director of Agriculture Extension Department-Cumilla. He said that Aman saplings are being made by making seeds in Cumilla cantonment.

After 10 days we can quickly supply these seedlings to the farmers. Apart from this, fertilizers will also be provided free of cost to the affected farmers. The head of the District Relief and Disaster Management Office Cumilla said that the government is also trying to repair the total damage and rehabilitation in the agricultural sector. The Department of Agriculture has started their work. Hope the farmers can return to the field very soon.