Sunamganj haor region Farmers face over cattle feed shortage

Sunamganj haor region Farmers face over cattle feed shortage

By Arun Chakroborty 

Sunamganj, May 15 – Farmers and cattle rearers in Sunamganj’s haor region are facing growing uncertainty over livestock feed after heavy rainfall damaged paddy crops and disrupted the collection of straw, the main source of cattle fodder.

Following widespread crop loss due to waterlogging and flash floods, farmers said they have been unable to collect sufficient straw (locally known as khor) for cattle feed. Straw cut from submerged fields could not be properly dried due to continuous adverse weather and has largely rotted.

Although some farmers managed to collect portions of damaged straw after the weather improved, they said it is not enough for livestock consumption.

As a result, many cattle rearers are being forced to sell cattle at lower prices, raising concerns over their livelihoods.

Farmers in the 12 upazilas of Sunamganj said cattle, including cows and buffaloes, are closely linked to the haor economy, supporting ploughing, protein supply and household income.

They said around 85 pc of cattle feed in the district normally comes from paddy straw, while natural grass provides some support during the dry season. However, for nearly six months of the year, livestock depend mainly on stored straw.

This year’s flood-related damage has severely affected straw collection, leaving most farmers and small-scale livestock owners without adequate feed reserves.

An elderly farmer from Janigaon village under Sadar upazila, Shamsu Mia, said he owns nine cattle and usually depends on straw collected during the Baishakh season. However, this year he was unable to store enough due to flooding.

He said even the small amount of rotted straw he managed to dry would not last for more than two months, leaving him worried about sustaining his livestock.

Another farmer from Solf village under Shantiganj upazila, Ruhul, said he may be forced to sell part of his cattle herd as he has no clear plan for feeding them.

“We could not store straw or fodder this year. I don’t know how to continue raising cattle. I may have to sell some of them,” he said.

Farmers said many others are in a similar situation and are selling cattle at low prices out of necessity, calling for government support to address the crisis.

“Without feed, we will have to sell cattle at lower prices. Many are already doing so,” said Rukunuddin of Janigaon village.

Officials at the Department of Livestock Services in Sunamganj said the district usually produces around 1.8 million tonnes of straw annually, but this year’s flood damage will reduce output significantly.

District Livestock Officer Dr Rofikul Islam said the feed crisis is already emerging due to crop damage and waterlogging.

He advised farmers to reduce reliance on straw and use alternative feeds such as bran, crushed rice, and commercial feed supplements to ensure livestock nutrition. - UNB