Flood-affected fish farmers to get easy-term loans: Farida Akhtar

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar has announced that easy-term loans will be available to help fish farmers affected by the recent floods.

The announcement was made in a press release issued by the ministry today (25 August).

Recent floods have hit Chattogram, Sylhet, and Khulna divisions, impacting 86 upazilas across 12 districts. The floods have caused extensive damage to fisheries and livestock, with 180,819 ponds and fish farms affected.

Losses in fish and shrimp are estimated at 90,768 tonnes, and the damage to fish fry and shrimp post-larvae is 3.746 lakh units. Overall damage, including infrastructure, totals approximately Tk1,010.36 crore.

To support the recovery efforts, the government will implement several measures. Along with providing easy-term loans, the government will enhance flood forecasting systems, conduct recovery training programs, offer infrastructural support for fish farms, and distribute fish fry using unspent funds from previous release activities.

The floods have also resulted in the death of many cattle and extensive damage to infrastructure. With feed for livestock and poultry destroyed, the estimated losses amount to Tk411 crore. To address these issues, the government will supply animal feed, provide vaccines to prevent disease, and distribute grass cuttings.