Fish farmers made unemployed by monsoon flooding across the northern districts of the country in early August are in dire need of assistance from the government to recoup their losses. Although the government has taken initiatives for relief distribution and other supportive programmes for the flood victims, the fish farmers have yet to receive any governmental assistance despite their miserable conditions. In Khulna, 11,552 fish cultivators incurred a loss of over Tk224 crore, while 12,084 ponds and farms were totally washed away. The fisheries department has claimed it advised the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to take measures to help the flood-hit fish cultivators pull through their hard times. “Currently, there are no incentive programmes for flood-hit fish cultivators,” Deputy Director of Aquaculture Dr Gulzar Hossain conceded.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 25, 2017 17:26 UTC