The government has been urged to take initiatives against the oligarchies to rein in the prices of essential commodities that go uncontrolled in the domestic market and put consumers in the hardest condition in recent years.
Breaking the oligopolies as well as ensuring exemplary punishment against the oligarchies can only help bring down the high prices to a rational level, speakers said at a meeting on Tuesday, stressing the need for taking urgent steps in this regard.
They made the call at the concluding session of a two-day national conference, commemorating late scientist Dr Kazi M Badruddoza. Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF) organised the meeting at CIRDAP auditorium in the city.
As part of the event, a two-day training workshop on agricultural transformation was also held, bringing together 60 media professionals specialising in agricultural journalism from across the country.
Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque inaugurated the conference and BAJF publication unveiling programme on Monday, while agriculturalist and Awami League joint secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim spoke at the concluding session.
Mr Nasim said the government has taken a decisive stance to address the syndicate or oligopoly issues that involve businessmen, bribes, smugglers, and profiteers on market management.
He characterised these factors as disruptive and detrimental to the nation's well-being.
He commended the government's unwavering commitment to curbing such activities as various government agencies were actively working on this goal.
Speaking at the seminar, KSM Mostafizur Rahman, Managing Director of National Agricare Group, highlighted the contribution of agriculture to the country's prosperity, but expressed concerns over neglecting many of the agricultural workers.
He said the agriculture sector engages 42 per cent of the people who receive only 12 per cent of the total income and the remaining 88 per cent is going to other sectors. He stressed on addressing this inequality.
BAJF President Golam Iftekhar Mahmud presided over the seminar while General Secretary Sahnuware Sahid Shaheen moderated the programme.
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Mr Mahmud noted that more than half of the farmers in the country are within the age group of 30 years, but the highly educated ones among them are often reluctant to invest in the agriculture sector.
He said Gazi Guava inventor Dr Badruddoza had a dream of bringing the educated youths to contribute to an agriculture revolution in the country.
The government should invest in the sector to attract educated youths who can help improve productivity to a new height, he added.
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