Fodder crisis in flooded regions

The cattle farmers of the flood-hit regions in Bangladesh are facing fodder shortage for their livestock.

An unusual price hike of fodders has made it even more difficult for them to feed their animals. The cattle are becoming weak day by day due to insufficient food, farmers said.

Livestock officials in some districts said they already sought fodder to their higher authorities for their regions.

Mukti Khatun, of Sirajganj's Kazipur upazila, said most of the cattle grazing fields were submerged in the district.

"I don't even have sufficient money in my hand to buy dry fodders for my cattle. I am worried," she said from a flood protection embankment where she took shelter with her livestock.

The situation in Kurigram and Lalmonirhat districts are worse than Sirajganj.

Cattle farmers in the two districts said they were facing acute shortage of green fodder, especially grass and paddy straws.

District livestock officials in the two districts said around 24 lakh cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep survived on natural resources in the districts.

The unusual price hike in the fodder market was also visible in the two districts.

Mansur Uddin, farmer of Kurigram's Chilmari upazila, said each maund of hay was being sold between Tk 400 and Tk 450 in local markets whereas the price was between Tk 200 and Tk 250 even 10 days ago.

Meanwhile, Abdar Hossain, of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, said, "I had to suffer loss and sell two of my cows at a lower price due to this crisis," he said, adding, "Four more cows have turned bone and skin due to lack of fodder."

In Bogura, around 77,000 domestic animals have been affected by the recent flood, according to the district livestock office.

Begumara, a flood victim who took shelter at Sujanerpara Guchchagram in Sariakandi upazila, said she had bought a cow around four months ago but it was now becoming weak due to insufficient food and drinking water.

Contacted, the district livestock officer Rafiqul Islam Talukdar said he already applied for fodder to his higher authorities.

In Gaibandha, around 32,000 domestic animals have been affected by flood.

Abdus Samad, livestock officer of the district, said they had applied for fodder from the relief and rehabilitation ministry but was yet to receive any.

In Thakurgoan, cattle farmers are struggling the same way as the fodder price have shot up there too.

Hamidur Rahman, of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila, said he bought a pan of fodder at Tk 400 but its regular price was between Tk 200 to Tk 250.

District Livestock Officer Altaf Hossain said the farmers of the distinct were rearing about 80,300 animals including cows, goats and sheep targeting Eid-ul-Azha.

Meanwhile, some fresh areas have also been inundated by the flood.

Low lying areas in Munshiganj have been submerged as the Padma river was flowing 27cm above the danger level at Bhagyakul point yesterday morning.

Government officials said some 150 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 2.5 lakh have been allocated for the victims in the region.

In Noakhali, some 10,000 people have been marooned as 15 villages in Hatiya upazila have freshly been inundated.

Our Pabna, Lalmonirhat, Bogura, Thakurgoan and Noakhali correspondent contributed to this report.