Protecting farmers’ interests
I believe that not agriculture but the farmers who keep the agriculture moving is the backbone of a nation which depends on agriculture. So, priorities should be given on protecting farmers’ interests.
Recently the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reportedly announced that her government will purchase 28,000 tones of potatoes directly from the potato farmers at a higher price required for the Anganwadi health centers and the midday school children meal program. She made this decision after appreciating the heavy loss sustained by the farmers due to the sharp fall in prices following the current years’ bumper crop. Two farmers were reportedly committed suicide after suffering heavy losses. Ms. Banaerjee deserves appreciation for her timely action to protect the farmers’ interest.
In fact, Farmers in our region in many cases are not getting genuine/fair prices of their produce. This is really a frustrating situation; people particularly the present farmers and future farmers in general are losing interest in agriculture which is not a good sign for agro-based economy and food security. In Bangladesh, the Government of Sheikh Hasina has taken some pragmatic measures to protect the interests of our farmers and the farming community. But I think, some urgent steps have to be taken to ensuring price-protection and easy marketing of the farmers’ produces.
I learned that some super markets and mega shops in the capital are directly buying vegetables and fruits from enlisted farmers at a genuine price. The Government may introduce such a system to purchase agricultural products directly from the famers for distribution among the consumers through a reliable marketing channel.
Professor M Zahidul Haque
Department of Agricultural Extension & Information System
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University,
Dhaka-1207.
