Dhaka:Prime Minister's Political Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapon has emphasized the importance of prioritizing farmers in agricultural development, market systems, and technological advancements to ensure fair prices and market security for their produce.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Swapon made these remarks as the chief guest at a seminar titled "Maximizing Agricultural Ecosystem Development Integration, Financing and Facilitation through Blockchain" held at a hotel in the capital.
Swapon pointed out that discussions on modern agricultural value chains often focus on intermediaries and other stakeholders, leaving farmers, the primary producers, with insufficient attention. He stressed the continued dependence on agriculture due to the essential nature of food consumption, noting that approximately 42 to 45 percent of Bangladesh's population still relies on agriculture.
The government has prioritized agriculture and farmers since taking office, Swapon said, highlighting initiatives by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, such as the introduction of the 'Farmer Card'. He advocated for production security, fair profits, and better market access for farmers, along with modern storage facilities for perishable goods and protections against exploitation by intermediaries and syndicates.
Swapon also underscored the need for sustainable and profitable solutions to reduce reliance on agricultural subsidies. Seminar speakers highlighted the integration of transparency, financing, and blockchain technology to enhance agricultural market management.
The event was attended by notable guests, including Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal, IFAD Country Director for Bangladesh Dr. Valantine Achancho, FAO Representative in Bangladesh Jiaoqun Shi, GAIN Bangladesh Country Director Dr. Rudaba Khondker, and Innovatech Director Christina Olsen. M. Shaifur Rahman Mazumdar, Managing Director of Chittagong Stock Exchange PLC, and representatives from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and Bank Asia PLC also participated.