Bonik Barta photo The
country has been experiencing severe heat wave since the beginning of April,
impacting human beings and animals alike. Farmers from across the country have
reported increased number of deaths of broiler chickens and cows due to the scorching
heat. They also said that production of milk and eggs has gone down alongside loss
of weight.
On
Thursday, Bangladesh Poultry Association said that one million broiler, layer
and sonali chickens perished in 10-12 days after the Eid-ul-Fitr. Of them, 80
percent were broiler chickens. The amount of total loss stands at Tk 2 billion.
Million. The number of deaths has risen in last two days, farmers said.
According
to Bangladesh Dairy Farmers’ Association (BDFA), which has more than 55,000
members, in last few days some 2,000 cows died due to extreme weather, load
shedding and black quarter, a bacterial disease. More than 1000 cows had
abortion in sixth and seventh month. Keeping upcoming Eid-ul-Azha in mind,
farmers across the country arranged about 12 million cows. But, in last 15
days, 99 percent of the cows and buffaloes have lost weight from 30 to 70
kilogram depending on size. Every cow is now producing 20-25 percent less milk.
“We will have to think about durable farm
management. We have to rear those animals that are suitable for our weather,” BDFA
President Imran Hossain told Bonik Barta.
“It will be very difficult for the
farmers to overcome such a loss in the lead up to Eid-ul-Azha. Modern farmers
are somewhat prepared, but most of the marginal farmers do not even know what
to do under such circumstances,” he said.
