Bangladesh Khetmajur Samity at its national conference in the city demanded Saturday introduction of 'rural rationing system' for the farmers with a view to eradicating poverty from the villages.
They also demanded enactment of 'Agricultural Labour Law' to safeguard the farmers from food insecurity.
The Samity, in its annual national conference held in front of National Press Club in the city, placed an eight-point demand.
President of the Samity Samsuzzaman Selim presided over the conference while its secretary Anwar Hossain, economist M M Akash, president of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Mujahidul Islam Selim, among others, spoke on the occasion.
The Khetmajur Samity, which works for farmers' rights, demanded starting the rationing system for farmers where they could buy rice, flour and salt at Tk 5 per kg, edible oil and pulse at Tk 30, sugar and kerosene at Tk 15 per kg or litre.
The Samity also demanded removal of all types of corruption from the TR, Kabikha, Kabita, VGD, VGF, old-age allowance and widow allowance programmes.
The organisation's demand also includes restarting 'the 100 days Employment Generation Programme' at every upazila.
Speakers at the programme said farmers' financial condition in Bangladesh has been degrading.
"Price debacle in harvesting season, lack of a farmer-friendly land law, torture of the interest monger NGOs etc are forcing the peasantry to migrate to big cities or abroad," Anwar Hossain said.
He said to upgrade the lives of the peasantry the government will have to meet their demands.
"Or we will go for tougher actions," he said.
The Samity also demanded ensuring free medicare for farmers and farm labourers at every state-run hospital.
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