Aush paddy on about 56,000 hectares of land in the country has been damaged by the ongoing flood triggered by incessant showers, said Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Tuesday.

“If the floods do not last long, it is possible to recoup the losses caused so far. That’s why extensive preparations have already been taken,” he told reporters after a meeting with Maldives High Commissioner Shiruzimath Sameer at the Secretariat.

Razzaque said Aush paddy on 22,000 hectares of land in Sunamganj and Sylhet were damaged by floodwater. Flood has slumbered different areas in  Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Moulvibazar districts.

Besides, vegetables, sesame, nuts etc. have been damaged, he added.

Various programmes are being taken to ensure that the production of Aman paddy is not disrupted, the minister said adding Aman is a major crop in the country from where about 1.50 crore tonnes of rice is produced annually.

“Now the work of preparing seedbeds by planting Aman has started. If the flood situation improves, the seedbed will not be damaged much.”

Besides, initiatives will be taken to cultivate Nabi variety (Late Variety) Aman paddy in case of prolonged flood, he added.

He also said the ongoing floods may affect the vegetable prices. “It is not yet clear whether there will be food crisis in the country due to the floods.”

During the meeting, Maldives High Commissioner Shiruzimath Sameer expressed interest in importing mangoes from Bangladesh. Besides, the Maldives will cooperate in the extraction of huge marine resources of Bangladesh, said the Agriculture Minister.