Protecting farmers

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FE Team | Published: September 28, 2024 20:26:46

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Agriculture is fundamental to our economy, as our hardworking farmers enable a land-scarce nation to sustain its entire population. However, several concerning challenges persist such as the annual reduction of arable land, farmers focusing exclusively on high-value crops, and the migration of skilled agricultural workers to the Middle East and Europe for better compensation- all of which jeopardise our food security. Additionally, the rising volume of agricultural imports is unsustainable for a country reliant on imports and facing a reserve crisis.
The government must adopt a strategy to retain skilled farmers, provide incentives and encouragement for them to cultivate less profitable yet vital crops.
Rafid Alam
Dhaka
rafidalam11@outlook.com