To save agriculture and farmers, the government has to take all the risk for the agricultural sector.
Politician, and President of Oikya Nap, Pankaj Bhattacharya made the recommendation at a seminar titled “Fair Value of Paddy and Agricultural Products: Crisis and Proposals”, at the National Press Club on Monday.
The programme was organized jointly by Save the Environment Movement (Poba), and Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (Barcik).
Addressing as the chief guest, Pankaj said: “The national budget allocation for the agricultural sector, subsidies, and incentives should be increased.”
He demanded an agriculture friendly agro-policy.
Mentioning the field level condition of Dharmapasha in Sunamganj, Chhabi Biswas, former ruling party law-maker, and vice president of Bangladesh Krishak League, said: “Farmers of that area are unable to sell paddy at the government set price of Tk1,040. Rather they are obliged to sell at only Tk600-650.”
He proposed, the government ought to purchase paddy directly from farmers by increasing the purchase limit.
Pavel Perth, coordinator and researcher of Barcik, presented the keynote paper at the seminar, while Poba Chairman Abu Naser Khan presided, and Poba Secretary Ferdous Ahmed hosted the session.
Pavel put forth 16 recommendations based on production and effective participation, storage and preservation, diversification and processing, information flow and accountability, which included farmers’ cards and special bank accounts be ensured, and agro loan without interest.
Among others, Barcik Director Syed Ali Biswas, representative of Bangladesh Consumer Association Mohiuddin Ahmed, Program Officer of WBB Trust Syeda Ananna Rahman, and Babar Ali, a farmer who received a national title, were present.
