DHAKA: Floods in Bangladesh have destroyed round 1.1 million tonnes of rice, prompting the nation to extend imports of the staple cereal amid rising meals costs, based on Agriculture Ministry information.
Floods brought on by heavy monsoon rains and torrential upstream runoff hit the nation in two main waves in August and October, killing at the least 75 folks and affecting thousands and thousands of individuals, notably in japanese and northern areas the place crop injury has been extra severe.
The Agriculture Ministry mentioned this yr’s floods had resulted in a considerable lack of rice manufacturing. In response, the federal government is shifting rapidly to import 500,000 tonnes of rice and is predicted to quickly permit imports from the personal sector, a meals ministry official mentioned.
The interim authorities, which took energy in August after lethal protests pressured former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India, is struggling to stabilize meals costs which have risen practically 20% lately. months.
Increased imports from Bangladesh may increase shipments from neighboring India, the world’s high rice exporter, which final month minimize duties on parboiled rice exports to 10%.
The floods additionally severely affected different agricultural merchandise, together with greater than 200,000 tons of greens. Total nationwide agricultural losses as a result of floods are estimated at round 45 billion taka ($380 million).
Bangladesh, the world’s third-largest rice producer, sometimes produces practically 40 million tons of rice a yr to feed its inhabitants of 170 million. However, pure disasters usually disrupt manufacturing and result in higher dependence on imports.
