Fisheries Department has started distribution rice among 8,000 fishermen families in the district with a view to assisting them during the ban period of Hilsa fishing.
District Fisheries Office sources said the food support is being given to the poor fishermen families during the ban period of Hilsa fishing in rivers from October 12 to November 4, the breeding period of Hilsa fish. Under vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programme 200 tones rice will be disbursed among 8,000 fishermen families to assist them during the ban period of Hilsa fishing.
Fishermen in Dewanganj, Islampur, Madarganj and Sarishabari upazila in the district will get the food assistance. Each of the families will get 25 kilogram of rice.
The office said 2626 families in Islampur upazila, 2714 families in Dewanganj, 1460 families in Sarishabari and 1200 families in Madarganj will come under the programme. District Fisheries Officer SM Khalequzzaman said the aim of the programme is to increase Hilsa fish production by preventing fishermen from catching mother Hilsa fish during the breeding period.