Shahinur Rahman from Manikganj in Singair
‘In the last two decades, the prices of paddy, rice and vegetables have skyrocketed though farmers are not the beneficiaries of that. The middlemen and intermediaries such as rice traders, rice and mill owners and rice traders have been benefited. As a result, the situation of landless marginal farmers is becoming more fragile today. Due to this, farmers are being discouraged to farm crops and intend to change their occupations. Therefore, in order to create incentives for the farmers and in the field of paddy production, it is necessary to ensure the profitable price of agricultural products. Government agricultural incentives should be extended to the real farmers by increasing the amount of subsidy in agriculture’.
The above statements came from the discussants of an event arranged by BARCIK recently in Manikgonj. The meeting was presided over by Md. Abdul Latif, President of Baldhara Union Agriculture Development Committee.
Experienced farmer AKM Karam Ali Master attended in the as the chief discussant in the meeting. He said, ‘People need food to survive. It is the farmers who provide these people food by farming diverse crops including rice. Agriculture is the only source of food for the people. Without food grain production, the country’s economy will not prosper.’ He went on saying, ‘The farmers did not stop producing agricultural crops and grains even during the Covid-19 pandemic. They fought in the field to solve the food crisis of the country. But they are lagging behind in rights and dignity. There are very few strong organizations of farmers which could help them voicing their concerns. Therefore, strong farmers’ organization could help them establishing their rights.’
Md. Hazrat Ali said, ‘In Bangladesh’s agriculture, there are more landless marginal sharecroppers. They meet most of the food needs of the country. But various crises such as rising prices of agricultural produce, rising prices of leased land and natural disasters due to climate change have hit then some extent and they seldom get compensation.’
During the discussion, Selina Khatun said, ‘Women’s rights in agriculture have not been recognized yet. A woman manages all the household works and engages herself in agricultural work. But it has not been that women are recognized as farmers. Therefore, recognition of women farmers should be given and the wage inequality in agricultural labor should be removed.
It is to mention that the discussion was also attended by farmers Subhash Mandal, Selina Khatun, Monowara Begum, farmer Darog Ali Sikder, Abdul Alim, Md. Farhad Hossain and BARCIK officials.
Translated by Silvanus Lamin