Govt to vaccinate cattle in 5 flood-hit districts of Chattogram: minister

The government will bring all cattle in the five flood-affected districts of the Chattogram region under foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination coverage within 15 days, said Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid today.

The risk of FMD and other infectious diseases rises after floods. To reduce the risk, a vaccination campaign has begun in the five flood-hit districts, he said while briefing journalists after inaugurating the distribution of rice and other materials among affected farmers.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

He also launched the vaccination programme in Dohazari of Chattogram, according to a press release.

He said affected growers in the flood-hit districts will be given paddy seeds and seedlings so that they can quickly return to farming.

He said the flood had severely damaged Aman rice seedbeds in the region.

To address this situation, information on affected farmers has been collected, and seeds have been arranged according to their needs.

He said the government will provide rice seeds to farmers whose seedbeds have been completely destroyed.

For those whose land is still underwater and who do not yet have the opportunity to sow seeds, the government has taken the initiative to lease land from farmers to create alternative seedbeds, he added.

The seedlings produced there will be distributed to the affected farmers after 15-20 days so that they can plant them as soon as the water recedes, he said.

Additionally, to address the cattle feed shortage caused by the floods, Tk 35 lakh has been allocated in the first phase. The minister said further assistance would be provided as needed.

The minister said that preliminary estimates show fish farmers have suffered the greatest damage and that the losses could amount to several hundred crore taka.

A field-level survey is underway to determine the actual extent of the damage. Once the survey is complete, necessary measures will be taken to rehabilitate the affected fish farmers, he said.