Floods 2004

Agri ministry decides seed distribution modality
The Daily Star. August 10, 2004
 

The government will reach seeds and fertilisers free of cost among 25 lakh listed small and marginal farmers until end-November through block supervisors of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).

A meeting yesterday of the agriculture ministry presided over by Agriculture Minister MK Anwar set the deadline for distribution of seeds and fertilisers for six crops at the doorsteps of the farmers.

Distribution of seeds of transplanted aman among 4.32 lakh farmers will start on August 15 and run through August 25. Seedlings for the crop will be distributed between August 25 and September 10.

The farmers are to start getting mashkolai (pulse) seeds from September 1 to September 15, maize from September 7 to October 30, mustard seed and wheat from October 1 to October 30 and boro from October 1 to November 20.

A farmer will get seeds and fertilisers for only one crop, the meeting decided. It reviewed the status of listing of the farmers and the DAE officials said that listing of farmers of 16 of the 46 flood-affected districts has been complete. The rest will be done by August 15.

The block supervisors are preparing the list of farmers with the help of Union Parishad chairmen and members, the meeting was told.

The ministry at a meeting on Sunday decided to distribute seeds and fertilisers to help the flood-affected farmers go for cultivation immediately after the recession of floodwaters.

The floods have damaged agriculture on 8.30 lakh hectares in 46 districts and 295 upazilas, affecting 46.50 lakh farmers and making the farm sector count as much as Tk 1,780 crore in losses, according to an estimate of the agriculture ministry. The government has earmarked Tk 130 crore for the programme and the Finance Division has released Tk 48 crore.

State Minister for Agriculture Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reports after the meeting the nine mobile teams of the agriculture ministry will closely monitor the seeds and fertiliser distribution alongside the rehabilitation committees at the districts, upazilas and unions to check pilferage, corruption and other irregularities.

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