Flood-hit Bogura farmers selling cattle head at throw away prices

BOGURA, July 22: Cattle rearers of Sonatola, Sariakandi and Dhunot upazilas of the district are facing acute fodder crisis as a vast area of pasture land has been submerged by flooding of the mighty Jamuna river.

Meanwhile, two cows have died recently by drowning in the floodwater.

Water of Jamuna river is flowing over 137 cm above danger level for the last few days and onrush of water flooding the locality.

The district livestock office sources said more than 25,000 cattle rearers in the region have 12,84000 cows and 16,000 buffaloes.

Sources said a good number of cattle rearers who are taking shelter at the flood centres were bound to sell their animals at a throw away price.

Some of them were able to send their cattle head to their relatives' homes safely.

Official sources said farmers have been asked to feed their cattle head rotten straw, Napier grass and pakchong grass.

Livestock officials are providing anthrax and FMD vaccines free of cost among the rearers as the cattle may be attacked with different kinds of diseases after recession of the floodwater.

Peptides Petites Ruminant (PPR) vaccine for goat as well as sheep and Black Quarter (BQ) vaccine for the calves are being provided across the area.

District livestock officer Dr Md Rafiqul Islam Talukder said he has applied to the authority for sending some 200 tonnes of granular food to meet the fodder crises.

Besides, some six mobile medical teams are working to save the cattle head, he added.

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