Damage and Agricultural Rehabilitation Scenario of Post Cyclone Mahasen in Coastal Zone of Bangladesh

Abstract

Every year Bangladesh faces some natural disaster; Flood and Cyclone are the very common occurrence in this country. For these natural calamities there occur extensive damages to lives and properties in Bangladesh every year. The objective of this study is to assess the losses of agricultural sector due to Mahasen and find out the problems related to agricultural crop production in the study area. Damage of agriculture sector was devastation in Mahasen. Farmers have been facing a lot of problems to bring all the arable land under crop cultivation, especially, during winter Boro crops season a large portion of their land remain uncultivated only due to salinity problem, and non-availability of quality seeds, agricultural equipment’s, appropriate fertilizers and low interest loan. The present study data expressed that cyclone Mahasen 54% of the agricultural crops land was damaged and about 67% fisheries sector was affected. Lack proper cyclone management system there also lost livestock’s and poultry. Due to lack of some agricultural support and problems the people could not bring all the arable land under cultivation especially the winter boro crops due to salinity and quality seed supply and lack of low interest loan. At present, number of economically worst household has improved by compare to post Mahasen status. In household level members' occupation, Fishing laborer and rickshaw/van puller number has increased. On the other hand number of Fish culture farmers and small trade holders has also increased in the family. Due to poor disaster management system and ignorance of the physical plan, the study area has experienced not only huge economic lose but also lives. By the way it is impossible to prevent the natural disaster, like cyclone but reducing the cyclone impact is easily possible. If the proposed strategic planning’s of the study are applied properly, the problem of this area may be solved and the negative impact may be reduced in the study area.