Farmers of Jhenaidah called upon the government to dismantle the fertilizer syndicate in the district.
A number of farmers from all six upazilas of Jhenaidah district gathered under the banner of ‘Krishak Paribar’ to demand their rights and call for overall development in the agriculture sector.
They urged the government to dismantle the fertilizer syndicate, adopt crop insurance, give farmers priority in government offices, and set up cold storage facilities at the upazila level during a meeting held at Jhenaidah Shishu Academy on Monday.
Chaired by Jhenaidah Sadar upazila agricultural officer (UAO) Nur E Nabi, deputy director of the department of agricultural extension (DAE) of Jhenaidah Khamarbari, Sasti Chandra Roy attended as chief guest.
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Imran Zakaria and district Dragon Farmers Welfare Association president Tipu Sultan were present among others as special guests.
At the meeting, agricultural entrepreneur Qamruzzaman spoke on behalf of the ‘Krishak Paribar.’
He said farmers are now at the mercy of the fertilizer syndicate as they control the market. It compels farmers to buy fertilizer at an abnormal price throughout the year. Farmers incur losses due to the lack of crop insurance. Furthermore, they are usually not given the deserved respect in most of the government offices, despite being the backbone of an agricultural country.
He also demanded that the state should honor the farmers after their deaths in recognition of their contribution.
