The actual producers of crops, meaning the farmers, must be ethically paid for their production so that they can have some amount of benefit.
They must also be provided with their deserved smart cards.
Speakers at a human chain organised by the Bangladesh Krishok Foundation made the demands in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday.
“Farmers, who are the real producers of the crops, must be paid an amount from which they can have some profit for their sale. Many of them are still deprived of the smart card facilities, and it must be ensured,” said the speakers.
They further demanded that purchases must be made directly from farmers by making government procurement centers available at union level, provide adequate fertilizer to farmers at fixed government prices, break agricultural commodities market syndicate, reduce the prices of daily necessities, rural rations and grain insurance.
The speakers said, “Unplanned dredging of rivers must also be stopped. Illegal extraction and occupation of rivers, canals, etc. must be dealt with, and planned and effective measures must be taken to save agriculture and farmers in coastal areas. Protect agricultural land, and people need to be protected from salinity as well.”
Protect the environment, nature, biodiversity and agricultural lands of haors (wetlands) to ensure the livelihood of the farmers. Give the real fishermen the right to fish, provide compensation to the affected farmers and provide government jobs to at least one family member, they added.
Demonstrations by the foundation were held in different districts and upazilas of the country on the day to make these demands.
The human chain was held under the chairmanship of freedom fighter Adv SMA Sabur, President of the Central Committee of the foundation.
Central Committee General Secretary Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan, Co-Chairman Nimai Ganguly, Organizing Secretary Zahid Hossain Khan, Executive Committee Member Lucky Akter and Central Committee Member Mubarak Hossain Jhantu also spoke on the occasion.
The human chain was convened by Abid Hossain, General Secretary of the Central Committee.