Dhaka – FAO is committed to support southern agricultural development and broad interventions in the south for long and medium term agricultural and livelihood development for cyclone Sidr victims with support from the World Bank, FAO Representative Ad Spijkers said today while signing an agreement with the government for Sidr rehabilitation. The signing ceremony was attended by Minister for Planning Air Vice Marshal (Rtd.) A. K. Khandker, Planning Secretary Habib Ullah Majumder and other senior officials from lead agencies.

FAO is continuing agricultural rehabilitation programmes in the aftermath of cyclones Sidr (2007) and Aila (2009) in southern districts, and has thus far supported about 1.48 million households.

From 2008 until now, FAO has mobilized funds to the tune of US$12 million with funding from the UN, Switzerland, UK, Spain and Belgium in support of the restoration of the agriculture sector in the southern belt of Bangladesh. Among many other activities, local Aman varieties were restaured after Sidr and 65 tonnes of new saline tolerant rice variety (BRRI Dhan 47) were distributed recently.

As part of the US$109 million World Bank funded “Emergency 2007 Cyclone Recovery and Restoration Project (ECRRP)”, FAO is proposed to implement crop, livestock and fisheries related components for an amount of US$16 million, aimed at introducing agricultural technologies which will improve the resilience of communities and households to future disasters in cyclone prone areas. The project will operate in a total of 13 upazilas in two Divisions (Khulna and Barisal) affected by Sidr and Aila cyclones. The project spans 48 months.

Through the proposed ECRRP project, FAO will provide farmers with seeds, fertilizers, farm machineries (power tillers, threshers, batch driers, irrigation pumps), repair of small irrigation structures, provide improved fishing boats, fishing nets, aquaculture packages, animal feed, improved animal sheds, improved storage of seed at household level, animal vaccines etc. through Farmer Field Schools (FFS). Also capacity building of farmers and the development of community based farmers organizations are included as part of the community mobilization subcomponent of the project.

“Farmers need support to restore their livelihood and restore agricultural production,” emphasized the FAO Representative. “Farmers in southern districts need good seeds, irrigation structures, water reservoirs to harvest freshwater to promote agricultural development.”

“The project will enhance farmers’ production systems through improved seeds, fertilizers, storage and irrigation. Also, small scale fishers and aquaculture farmers and small livestock rearers will receive support in establishing groups and in receiving agricultural supplies,” Mr Spijkers added.

The south has huge potential for agricultural growth in support of the national economy, FAO commented while speaking with the press during the signing ceremony. Good seeds produce good crops, and we are to ensure good agricultural practices including the balanced use of fertilizers and machineries.

Press release issued by the Office of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh.