Total loss in the country’s fisheries and livestock was estimated at Tk 307 crore due to the severe cyclonic storm Amphan that ravaged the coastal districts on the night of Wednesday (May 20).
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock said in a press release issued on Friday (May 22) that it has requested the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief to provide incentives and loans to the affected, as compensation for the losses.
According to the initial data received from Barishal and Khulna divisions, the losses due to Amphan in the fisheries is 305 crore 50 lakh taka and in the livestock 1 crore 4 lakh 40 thousand taka. Of these, the number of damaged fish farms is 24,350 and the number of damaged cattle and poultry farms is 50,138.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief was requested to provide interest-free loans on easy terms including cash assistance to the affected farmers and entrepreneurs on an emergency basis.
Initial reports of damage to fish, cattle and poultry have been found in the coastal areas due to Amphan, and a final list of erosion is being prepared, said a letter signed by Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Raunak Mahmud.
Investors in the fisheries and livestock have already counted extreme financial losses due to coronavirus epidemic. Moreover, the impact of Amphan has made them even more frustrated. If this situation continues, the fishery and livestock, which provide animal nutrition, will be threatened, which will have an impact on the entire nation, warned the letter sent to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
