Govt embarks Tk 117cr post-flood rehabilitation programme: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the government has embarked upon a Taka 117 crore project for rehabilitation of the flood affected people in the northern districts.

Under the programme, she said, the farmers would get different benefits till next bro-crop. Six lakh farmers of six northern districts would get each five-kg seeds of boro-paddy, 20 kg DAP, five kg MOP and cash amount of Taka 1,000 for next crop.

In addition, the government has undertaken an incentive programme at a cost of Taka 58.77 crore to provide support to the farmers. A farmer would get 10 to 20 kg DAP fertiliser and 5 to

15 kg MOP fertiliser so that farmers face no hurdle to buy seed and fertiliser, she said.

The prime minister said seed of different types of cereals, pulses and species would be given to the small and marginal farmers who want to cultivate others crops except paddy.

The prime minister said while addressing a public meeting before distribution of relief materials among flood victims at Gobindaganj Upazila Parishad premises here today. She arrived here this morning to see herself the flood affected people and distribute relief among them.

She said distribution of rice seedlings has begun from August 24 and it will continue in the flood affected areas of the northern districts to help the farmers to start cultivation of paddy soon after receding water.

She said seedlings are being produced in different state owned agricultural research and development centers. About 1,000 floating seedbeds are being prepared to produce paddy saplings, she said.

A farmer would get one kilogram wheat seed or two kg maize seed, or one kg mustard oil seed or one kg nut seed or seeds of other types of pulses for cultivation so that they can cultivate whatever they are interested in after flood.

"We have taken the steps so that no land would fell uncultivated," she said adding that "not a single person would go hungry… we would ensure food security of every people."

Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Food Minister Advocate Qamrul Islam, AL Joint Secretary Jahangir Kabir

Nanak, Organizing Secretary Khalid Mahmood Chowdhury, local MP Abul Kalam spoke.

Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmood, PM's Security Adviser Major General (retd) Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, Whip Mahboob Ara Gini were present on the occasion.

Source: bss / thedailystar