FAO distributes agri incentives in Ctg

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nation is delivering rice and vegetable packages to 33,000 smallholder farmers across four districts Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, and 23 Upazilas.

This came with generous financial assistance from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) and the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation (SFERA).

Support includes rice seeds, 12 kinds of vegetable seeds, fertilisers, spades, water cans, and rice storage silo.

FAO distributed agricultural inputs to flash flood-affected households on Saturday in Chattogram division.

ATM Saiful Islam, Joint Secretary (Extension Wing) of Ministry of Agriculture, senior government officials from Agriculture Department and local community leaders also attended the program, FAO said on Sunday.

In response to the devastating flash floods that swept through the Chattogram division of Bangladesh in August, FAO has undertaken the distribution of agricultural inputs to households affected by flash floods in Bandarban Sadar union under Sadar Upazila of Bandarban district in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).

Badal Chandra Biswas, Director General of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) inaugurated the distribution of agricultural inputs to the flood-affected farmers in Bandarban Sadar and Patiya upazilas under Bandarban and Chattogram districts respectively.

He thanked and expressed his gratitude to FAO for the quick response to support the flood-affected smallholder farmers and said, "In times of crisis, collaboration is key. Today's distribution is a step towards restoring normalcy and ensuring the resilience of our agricultural community."

Nur Ahamed Khondaker, Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and Officer-in-Charge, FAO Bangladesh, said FAO is dedicated to supporting the recovery of communities impacted by the flash floods.

“The presence of Badal Chandra Biswas, Director General, at this event underscores the importance of collective action. FAO remains committed to working hand-in-hand with local authorities to address the immediate needs of the affected population,” he said.

The distribution aims to restore livelihoods and ensure resilience in targeted areas, including Bandarban, Rangamati, Chattogram, and Cox’s Bazar districts. The event showcased solidarity between the government, FAO, and the farming community.