Another blow to haor farmers
Unusually early flash floods late last month in Sunamganj's haor region not only damaged vast tracts of Boro just a month prior to harvest but also submerged many pastures, leading to a dearth of fodder and prompting many to let go of their cattle.
Take the case of Tahirpur upazila's Mobrul Hosain.
He lost paddy on two acres of land with the onrush of hilly waters and excessive rains, leaving him with only one alternate livelihood - selling the 10-12 litres of milk each of his three cows produce daily.
Unable to manage grass, Mobrul has now opted to sell those at a nearby weekly rural market or "haat".
"The pastures are submerged," the grim-faced farmer tells this correspondent there recently.
Others of his Anandapur village, namely Kutub Ali, Rahim Miah, Kaiyum and Runa Begum, had the same tale to tell.
The sufferings in the 11 upazilas do not end with losses in Boro cultivation and difficulties in rearing livestock.
Man and animal are both facing a scarcity of food and drinkable water, as this correspondent learned talking to them.
Bashir Ahmed of Mathgaon village bought two cows on a loan three months ago, hoping to earn some extra money selling milk during Ramadan.
Going through a financial crisis, he could not properly feed the animals, leading to a decrease in milk production and him missing the daily installments.
"For this I sold those at the purchase price,” he said, reasoning that market prices were low now as the haats had double the usual number of cattle.
Munjur Hosain of Nowapara village said he was making do with water hyacinth as an alternative to the usual fodder.
"I think I have to sell my cattle this week amidst the food crisis and floods damaging all the grass,” he said.
Another farmer, Sajon Mia of Naraontola village, said he had sold his cattle at a low price for the grass crisis, a hike in the prices of hay, oilcake and bran and fears over any illness they might contract.
A large bundle of hay, usually priced around Tk 250-300, is selling for Tk 160-170 higher, said a trader in the Tahirpur bazar, Moin Uddin.
Dr Md Gias Uddin, divisional deputy director of the Department of Livestock Services, said he had held a meeting with the district's relevant officers and asked to assess losses so that low loans at low interest rates could be given out.
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