Rangpur Correspondent:

Farmers across the Rangpur region are facing severe difficulties in rearing livestock as a prolonged cold wave and dense fog continue to grip the country’s northern region. Livestock are suffering from malnutrition due to inadequate fodder supplies, while extreme cold is preventing cattle from drinking water properly, farmers said.

They also reported outbreaks of various cold-related diseases in different areas, including foot-and-mouth disease.

Moreover, milk production has dropped sharply, as cows and buffaloes are not getting sufficient feed during the harsh weather.

Azgor Ali, 60, a farmer from Colonipara village in Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram, said he owns six cows but has been struggling to rear them amid the cold wave and fog.

“The cows are not interested in eating fodder because of the cold. If the cold wave continues for a few more days, they may fall ill,” he said.

Abdul Kader, 65, a farmer from Char Kulaghat village in the Dharla river char area of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, said he has been unable to feed his six cows and eight goats properly due to the cold and fog.

“Because of the cold, the cattle cannot drink water properly. The cows are suffering from cough and fever,” he said.

He added that only three of his six cows have been producing milk for the past three months.

“Earlier, I used to get an average of nine litres of milk per day from these three cows. Now I am getting only three to four litres,” he said.

Shamsur Rahman, 55, a farmer from Char Jorgachh village in the Brahmaputra river char area of Chilmari upazila in Kurigram, said his cattle are being affected by foot-and-mouth disease due to the cold weather.

“One of my four cows has been infected. I am providing treatment, but it is not working properly,” he said.

Due to the cold and fog, he is unable to take his four cows, two buffaloes and six goats out for grazing, forcing him to buy fodder and feed them at home.

“If the cold and fog continue for a few more days, our cattle may die,” he added.

“We ourselves have become almost immobile due to the cold and dense fog. Our livestock have been affected even more severely. Cattle, goats, sheep and buffaloes are not able to drink water or eat properly,” said Rajanikanta Roy, 65, a farmer from Annadannagar village in Pirgachha upazila of Rangpur.

“To protect them from the cold, we have to cover them with sacks,” he said, adding, “With 10 cows, 15 goats and four sheep, we are in serious trouble. If such cold and fog continue, these livestock will fall ill.”

According to the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) in Rangpur division, there are over 14.33 million livestock in the Rangpur division. Of these, 6.9 million are cattle, 6.7 million goats, 0.7 million sheep and 35,000 buffaloes. Nearly one million families earn their livelihoods through livestock rearing in the region.

Rangpur Divisional Livestock Officer Dr Abdul Hai Sarker said farmers are facing difficulties in rearing livestock during the ongoing cold wave and fog, but foot-and-mouth disease has not spread widely.

“There are cases of cold-related fever and cough among cattle, but these are being treated effectively,” he said.

He advised farmers to cover cows and buffaloes with winter materials, especially jute sacks, and to surround cattle sheds with polythene to protect livestock from the cold.