Wealth of crores of taka turn to trash in a moment

2000 poultry farms destroyed in Feni flood

Feni Correspondent: “I own 14 farms, I have 74 more under my control. There were 95,400 broiler, golden and layer chickens. Eggs were 1 lakh 16 thousand. All but a few chickens are gone. Millions of taka have gone, now I am in trouble with dead chickens and rotten eggs.
This is how Zafar Uddin, a poultry trader of Bhor Bazar in Sonagazi Upazila of Feni, explained his situation. Talking about the day when the flood started, he said that the water pressure was coming after 3 o’clock in the night. In an instant, the entire area is submerged. Busy with life, no chance to save wealth. Many farmers like me are sitting on the road. Public and private support is needed to turn around.
It is known that like everyone else, the farmers of Feni are affected by the flood. Not everyone can understand their dumb cry. On the one hand houses are damaged, on the other hand the loss of billions of taka. In particular, they are worried about the company’s debt repayments and bank loans. The terrible and sudden flood of the past, but at first they had to fight to save their lives, but now they are thinking of turning around.
It has been seen on the ground that Feni district is extremely affected by the flood. Several upazilas of the district are still waterlogged. However, the water in some upazilas has gone down. The marks of burning wounds are emerging. Everything from people’s houses has been damaged. It is almost impossible to bring out the real picture. Farmers who supply the bulk of the country’s meat, are about to sit on the road today.
According to official estimates, 39 unions and municipalities in a total of 6 upazilas of Feni district have been affected. Among them, 1,827 poultry farms were affected. Their financial loss is Tk 41 crore 38 lakh 49 thousand 550. Sonagazi upazila of the district was visited on September 3, mostly farms.
A chicken farm can be seen after passing two or four houses. But there are no chickens, the farms are doing just fine. Dead chickens are thrown around. As a result, the smell is suffocating.
Farmers say, chest-level water has risen. Somewhere the water has risen above the head. Had to swim in many places. Will I live with my family, or will I save the farm?
Talked to Zafar Uddin, owner of ‘Bhor Bazar Poultry Center’ in Sonagazi’sBhor Bazar area. His office room was waist-deep in water. In the farms, there was chest-level water, sometimes waist-level water.
He said, ‘I own 14 farms. The remaining 74 farmers are my customers. Everyone takes baby, feed and medicine from me. Everyone is in the same situation. Those who have taken chickens in the house or on the roof, can save. According to me, about 1 lakh 16 thousand eggs were wasted. The price of which is about Tk 12 lakh 76 thousand. Also, 14,860 broilers, 54,200 golden and 26,340 layers of own and subordinate farms died.
He said, my office medicines, documents, refrigerator were destroyed in Bhor Bazar. The food in the godown is spoiled. The chicken and the egg are spoiled. Broiler-Golden could not be sustained. Some layers can survive, but they are eating, but not laying eggs. There is no use in keeping them. Our staff bills, room rent, electricity bills are all losses. They will not raise money.
The same picture can be seen at Raju Poultry Farm in Lakshmipur village of Sonagazi upazila. They shed 15,000 layers of chickens in several houses there. There is also a fish farm. 6,000 layers of his chickens died. 30 thousand eggs were destroyed.
The owner of the firm, Abul Kalam, told Daily Industry that the water rose suddenly at 3:30 in the night. I came home and took out some chickens. But what’s the point of lifting it up! After a day they started jumping, no water, no food. Already jumping to death. I gave dirty water from below. Where to give food? All roads under water, no food. Because of this, I am in a terrible situation. I saved as much as I could. Few survived because of many battles.
The owner of Raju Poultry Farm said, ‘I am an agent. I have more than 100,000 broiler and layer chickens under me. Most are affected. Water has risen in our market shop, medicines and food have all been spoiled.
Govt incentives needed to turn around
When asked how the loss will be recovered, owner of Bhor Bazar Poultry Center Zafar Uddin said, “There is no condition to recover this loss. If the government takes a good look at us, if they reduce the interest rate of the loans we have, or if they give us new loans without interest, then we can turn around.
He said, ‘till now I have not received any government assistance. But we are being asked to list, we are coordinating it.
In response to the question whether the company from which the baby and food are taken are cooperating or not, Zafar Uddin said that the cooperation is suspended from the company.
Regarding the bank loan, Zafar Uddin said, “The bank has given an opportunity to postpone the loan for two months. But in the meantime, additional interest has to be paid. For the installment of Tk 1 lakh 28 thousand we have to pay additional Tk 60 thousand interest in two months. I said, it won’t be needed. I will repay the loan on time. It was beaten with skill. Oppressed in the name of helping.
Abul Kalam, the owner of Raju Poultry Farm, said, “If the government supports us, gives us incentives or the loans we have in the bank, if some installments are waived, or if we give some facilities, then we can turn around again.” Or we are finished. On all our loans. I am taking a loan. If the government does not do anything, there is no chance to turn around in this sector.
Govt assistance at negotiation stage
When asked whether the government officials have taken any initiative or not, Poultry Association President Abul Kalam said, “Livestock officials have asked for a list.” We are doing that. I will list everyone together.
In this regard, Feni District Livestock Officer Dr. Mozammel Haque told, ‘We have taken a preliminary estimate of the damage. But it will take some more time to get the actual calculation. There is still water in different upazilas of Feni district. People are stuck in water. If the calculation of their losses is added, the amount of losses may be more or less.
He said that 39 unions and municipalities have been affected in 6 upazilas of Feni. Among them, there were 36 lakh 43 thousand 400 chickens in the farms of the district at the time of flood. 20 lakh 74 thousand 810 died. There were 5 lakh 12 thousand 554 ducks. 1 lakh 88 thousand 402 died. Total affected farms are 1827. A total of 21 lakh 86 thousand 210 poultry were affected. The amount of this loss is Tk 11.32 crore. And grain food was wasted about Tk 30 crore 6 lakh 49 thousand 550.
In response to the question whether there is any government initiative to save the farmers, this official said that there will be an initiative by the government. But it will be gradual. Full damages will be assessed. Then the government will gradually plan and take action. Now asking for damage report from us, we are giving, so far. Maybe they are planning from above, how to rehabilitate them!