The government has been called on to procure five million ton of paddy to compensate the farmers for their loss.
The call was made at a dialogue organised by Right to Food Bangladesh and Action Aid on Tuesday (May 28).
Right to Food Bangladesh Vice Chairman Khondoker Ibrahim Khaled said that developed countries in the West provide subsidies for food production.
“Our government does it too but the farmers are unable to enjoy the benefits due to the intermediaries,” he said.
Former agricultural secretary Anowar Faruque said that there is a significant problem in the transport of agricultural products and the market.
He said that Bangladesh is a self sufficient in the food sector only due to the production of boro paddy and no matter what happens, paddy cultivation will continue.
“The labour wages have been raised 20 percent. The farmers are in a crisis with the government’s delay in taking a decision to procure rice,” he said.
He added that at the moment farmers should be given interest-free loans for three-four months.
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Director Md Asaduzzaman said that there is large gap in the rice and paddy market especially in terms of buyers and sellers.
He said that the farmers don’t have a voice and the government has to be more empathetic in solving the farmers’ crises.
Right to Food Bangladesh Chairman and PKSF chief Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad is of the view that in order to ensure fair prices for paddy, a permanent commission should be formed and the stronger farmers’ organisation is needed.
In the keynote presentation, Shahnowar Syed Shahin recommended increasing the government’s grain stock to 6 million ton within the next two years and build up community based granaries.
He said that agriculture-friendly policies should be drafted and implemented and a lot of progress can be made if the government can make good on its promises in the election manifesto.