Fodder crisis acute in Teesta char areas

Farmers of char lands in Teesta River basin under Sundarganj upazila are facing acute fodder shortage as their stock has been washed away by recent flood.

"It has become difficult to feed the cattle without fodder. Grazing fields in char lands are still under water and the grass has become rotten due to the stagnant water," said Solaiman Ali, a resident of Tarapur char.

Farmers have to go by boat to distant areas for buying fodder at high price. A maund of straw costs Tk 300 including boat fare, while it was Tk 150 per maund earlier. Poor farmers cannot afford to buy fodder at high price, said local people.

"We are in a difficult situation because of the additional expenditure for bringing fodder from distant areas," said Yusuf Ali, a straw trader of Sundarganj bazar.

In the rainy season it is not possible for cattle to graze in the fields because the lands go under water, said Nurul Mia of char Kapasia.

Because of high price of fodder many poor farmers are compelled to sell their cattle at low price, he added.