50,503 farmers affected by cyclone ‘Bulbul’

Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque has said that at least 50,503 farmers were affected by cyclone ‘Bulbul’ in 16 districts.

He also informed that the cyclone caused financial loss of Tk 263.5 crore.

Razzaque made the disclosure at a press conference at the ministry conference room on Tuesday to brief about losses of crops caused by the cyclone, reports BSS.

The minister, however, said cyclone ‘Bulbul’ affected farmers will be rehabilitated soon as the ministry receives acclamation from the finance ministry.

The minister said as per the initial estimation, 289,006 hectares of agricultural land was damaged, which is 14 percent of the country’s total farmland and 72,212 metric tons of crops were destroyed by the cyclonic storm.

He said 22,836 hectares of non-agricultural land was also damaged by the cyclone.

The minister said cyclone ‘Bulbul’ had an effect at 103 upazilas in 16 coastal and adjoining districts.

Razzaque said different crops including Ropa Aman paddy, winter vegetables, mustard, khesari pulse, lentils and betel leaf were affected in the 16 districts.

Among the damaged farmlands, the minister said Ropa Aman crops of 2 lakh 33,574 hectares, winter vegetables 16,884 hectares, mustards 1,476 hectares, khesari pulse 31,088 hectares, lentils 195 hectares, betel leafs 2,663 hectares and others 3,126 hectares.