The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE farmers in certain districts are once again in dire necessity of rehabilitation. The first wave of flood till the month of August left a trail of devastation. Almost 10.5 million people of 39 districts were affected. More than nine and a half lakh houses and crops of more than fifteen lakh acres were damaged. As soon as the floodwater started receding, the farmers started to cultivate whatever crops they could. But no sooner had the new seedlings penetrated their roots into the soil than a second wave of flood swept over 46 districts raising the total death toll to about 1040, according to official statistics. Crops of about 18 lakh acres of land were damaged either totally or partially.

Now the farmers, especially the small and marginal ones, find it difficult to figure out how to survive and grow crops again. Although the time for the Aman cultivation is practically over, some farmers are still trying to plant Aman seedlings. In this situation, the practical option is the cultivation of 'Rabi' crops like pulses, onion, garlic and vegetables. Immediately after the August flood, the affected farmers, especially the small and marginal farmers, were in dire need of agricultural inputs, fertilisers and insecticides as well as funding support

The situation of the farmers hit by the second spate of flood is even more serious. They are in an acute need of highly subsidised inputs for Rabi crops. The demand for seeds of Rabi crops is reported to be 2000 tonnes. But under the grim prospect of the Aman crop the demand for seeds is almost sure to increase. The government must make all arrangements to make seeds, other inputs and loans available to farmers.

The agriculture sector of Bangladesh still accounting for employment of about 70 percent of the labour force is also a field of disguised unemployment and under-employment So, the government may start a large scale food for works programme to create temporary employment opportunities for agricultural workers and ensure the repair and rehabilitation of rural infrastructure damaged by the floods. The vulnerable group feeding programme should also be expanded simultaneously to make sure that poor and helpless families do not go unfed till such time that they can get back to their normal income generating activities.