There is a growing concern at farmers' becoming inclined to tobacco cultivation, given the stated stance of the government towards a tobacco-free society. As a principle the stance cannot be argued against, given the now well documented risks of smoking and use of the product. Where the stance is flawed is reflected in the recent rise of prices of essentials with onions taking the centre stage. Farmers are guaranteed fair prices, fertilisers and seeds by the tobacco companies and the end product puts food on the table with savings coming from family involvement in the crop production. Added to that is a health insurance of a kind.
For all the tall talk of alternative crops and support for that, the process hasn't worked. Current prices of paddy are well below production costs, leave aside profits and onion farmers shiver at the prospect of growing the vegetable in fear of cheaper imports. At the root of the problem is backward linkage by which relatively cheap product multiplies as it changes hands resulting in higher cost for the end-consumer. Authorities have so far failed to curb abnormal prices of onions in spite of grilling importers totally ignoring the fact that there was too much dependence for far too long on a single source of import. India suffered crop losses due to adverse weather prompting it to stop exports to Bangladesh, though it continued the process for the Maldives. The scramble to import through the expensive air freight isn't likely to cause prices to come down too soon and during the period till stability returns a vested group is making hay.
Over the years and while Begum Motia Chowdhury was Agriculture Minister there was sufficient sops provided in the form of cheaper diesel, re-routing power and a stern grip on fertiliser prices. This was backed up with government direct purchase of paddy, albeit not enough to bring in the entire crop. Then someone came in with the bright idea of importing rice thereby negating to a large extent the benefit of limited exports. These have since been stopped but imports continue thereby sending panic signals among the peasantry.
The equation of fair prices to farmers and tolerable ones for consumers is a perennial puzzle that agriculture and economic experts have failed to solve for ages. Whether it be milk splashed on streets or onions spread across roads farmers have vented their anger in the only way they know how. And yet new onions selling at Tk 30 at the ground level still are hiked at Tk 150 at retail. Save for some silos storing rice and cold storages for potatoes, there are no other storage safeguards for other crops. In spite of billions spent for infrastructure projects there's none to talk for the farming community. Yet the major political parties have agricultural wings that prefer their activities in Dhaka and not an iota of protest at unfair prices. Barring a handful, NGOs have failed their purpose. Till the authorities get their act together with adequate protection for prices, the equation will never be solved. Crop shortages, unless properly monitored will never be met with imports on time, provided they are needed to begin with. If they are, they must be at costs that don't prejudice our own farmers. As it is, fewer young farmers are interested in the trade for want of being unable to meet ends. That coupled with mindless acquisition of arable land for development and housing exacerbates the situation. A review of agriculture policy isn't just required, it is a crying need.
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