Dhaka:National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen MP has accused the current government of exacerbating the struggles faced by farmers in Bangladesh. He highlighted issues such as fertiliser shortages and the impact of political interference in the appointment of dealers as significant problems contributing to the hardships of farmers.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Akhter Hossen addressed reporters after paying tribute to Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Huq on his 153rd birth anniversary. He expressed concerns over the deepening crisis for farmers caused by fertiliser shortages in the northern region, politicisation in dealer appointments, lack of fair pricing for farm produce, and the presence of extortion and syndicates in the market.
Akhter pointed out that farmers are being forced to sell their produce at low prices while consumers in urban areas face inflated costs. He cited the disparity in the price of bottle gourds, which sell for Tk 2 in Panchagarh but reach up to Tk 60 in Dhaka, questioning the fairness of such pricing discrepancies.
To address these issues, Akhter called for several measures, including ensuring a steady supply of fertiliser, eliminating market extortion and syndicates, constructing cold storage and grain warehouses, adopting sympathetic agricultural loan policies, and increasing government incentives for farmers.
Additionally, Akhter emphasized the need for greater recognition of national leaders other than the ones predominantly focused on by the Awami League government. He advocated for more discussions about their contributions in educational materials and media to educate the new generation.
Akhter also reminisced about Sher-e-Bangla's efforts to champion farmers' rights and promote unity among Hindu and Muslim farmers, urging all political parties to embrace Sher-e-Bangla's pro-farmer ideals.