KHULNA, June 30: Over 45.59 thousand hectares of land of crops worth Taka 180.24 crore of 74,037 farmers were damaged by Cyclone Remal in four districts in Khulna agricultural zone, according to Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) officials in Khulna.
The crops covering the areas of 44148.95 hectares of farming land were partially damaged whereas 1450.90 hectares of farming land were totally damaged in the Remal-hit four districts, the official said.
In Khulna district, a total of 3,565.65 hectares of cropland of 13,796 farmers was affected due to Cyclone Remal, the DAE official said, adding that the amount of loss in the district is around Tk 42.98 crore.
In Bagerhat, a total of 12,611.50 hectares of cropland of 39465 farmers were damaged, and the loss in the district is around Tk 97.36 crore.
In Satkhira, a total of 659.7 hectares of cropland of 12156 farmers were affected where the loss amount is Tk 24.42 crore.
In Narail, a total of 28,763 hectares of cropland of 8,620 farmers were affected where the loss amount is around Tk 15.47 crore.
While talking with The Daily Observer, Mohon Kumar Ghosh, additional director of the DAE, Khulna Zone, said the tropical Cyclone Remal caused extensive damage to the southern coastal areas, especially the croplands.
He said the affected crops include jute, Aush seedbed, Aush cultivated land, groundnut, chilli, Bona Aman, ginger, turmeric, summer melon, litchi, mango, papaya, betel nut, sugarcane, banana, sugarcane, winter maize, sesame, summer were damaged by Cyclone Remal.
There were a variety of vegetables of Kharif seasons including tomato, mung dal and banana were also affected.
Following the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mohon Kumar said, incentives are being given to farmers to overcome the damage caused by Cyclone Remal.
In the coming months, they will be supported by all kinds of incentives from the government. Besides, regular counselling and supervision is being done at the field level, he added.
