Leaders of the Bangladesh Khetmazur and Krishak Organisation have urged the government to purchase twice as much paddy as rice directly from farmers during the current Aman season to ensure fair prices for growers.
Being critical to the government鈥檚 recent announcement to buy only 50,000 tonnes of paddy this season, they said the amount is too small compared to the 600,000 tonnes of rice slated for procurement. Farmers produce paddy, not rice, they said, and therefore the government should prioritise purchasing paddy directly from them.
The demands were made Thursday afternoon at a protest rally organised by the Rangpur district unit of the organisation at Kachari Bazar.
Speakers at the rally called for opening procurement centres in every market and purchasing double the amount of paddy against rice. They also demanded compensation and easy loans for potato farmers, and the construction of specialised government cold storages in the Rangpur region.
The event was presided over by district convener Comrade Anwar Hossain Bablu. Central committee convener Comrade Ahsanul Arefin Teetoo, along with farmer representatives Rana Mia and Abul Hossain, spoke at the rally.
The leaders noted that the government plans to purchase paddy at Tk 34 per kg and rice at Tk 50 per kg between November 20 and February 28.
鈥榃e strongly condemn this announcement of purchasing such a small amount of paddy compared to rice,鈥� said Ahsanul Arefin.
They reiterated their long-standing demand for procurement centres in all rural markets to ensure direct purchase from farmers. Arefin also stressed the need for timely Boro and Aman paddy procurement policies to guarantee fair prices and stabilise rice prices in the market.
He suggested that the government buy more paddy from farmers and give the procured paddy to millers for crushing at fixed rates, allowing the government to supply rice to markets at subsidised prices. This would help break market syndicates and protect consumers.
Addressing the plight of potato farmers, Anwar Hossain said cold storage owners raised rental fees last year, making it unaffordable for farmers to store their produce. As a result, hundreds of tonnes of potatoes rotted at home. He criticised the government for failing to build a few cold storages despite the relatively low investment required.
Following the rally, the organisation submitted a memorandum detailing their demands to the deputy commissioner and the regional controller of food.
