Sunamganj flood-hit farmers to get incentives: Razzaque

The government will take steps to provide incentives to the flood-hit farmers in haor areas of Sunamganj, said Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Tuesday.

Intensive will be given to the affected farmers as Boro is the only crop in haor areas, he said, adding that the government will stand by the farmers to help them recoup losses.

The minister revealed the information while talking to reporters after attending a meeting of the National Coordinating and Advisory Committee on Fertilisers at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka.

Replying to a question, Razzaque said, “As high as 300mm of rain were recorded in India in the two days and there is a possibility of more rains on April 14 and 15. We have no control on nature. But we are taking measures to tackle any kind of disaster.”

Every year, two crore tonnes of Boro paddy are produced across the country and 12 lakh tonnes are produced in the haor areas which may get damaged and this is a matter of big concern for Bangladesh, he said.

Besides, breaking all previous records, the government is currently providing the highest amount of subsidy and intensive for the agriculture sector, he said.
Talking about fertiliser, the minister said there is no crisis of fertiliser in the country.

“Every year, there is a need of 26 lakh tonnes of urea, 7.5 lakh tonnes of TSP, 16.5 lakh tonnes of DAP and 7.5 lakh tonnes of MOP fertilisers and till today we have not faced any problem,” he said.

The price of fertiliser increased in many countries but Bangladesh is the only country where fertiliser prices are stable, he said.

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, former agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury, lawmaker Zahirul Islam, Agriculture Secretary Md Sayedul Islam and high officials concerned were, among others, present at the meeting.