Farmers demand compensation to recoup blockade losses

Farmers' rights groups Thursday demanded compensation for the farmers, who incurred losses due to the ongoing political turbulence.
They also demanded making a list of the farmers and labourers by involving the government and agricultural organisations to give incentives to the peasantry following a drastic fall in prices of harvested crops due to halt in transportation.
The demands came at a discussion in the city, organised by Krishok Odhikar Moncho, a platform of farmers' rights groups.
Dr Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed, chairman of Bangladesh Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation, presided over the discussion, where Aminul Islam, president and Subal Sarker, general secretary of Bangladesh Bhumiheen Samity, presented the keynote.
The paper revealed that prices of crops have declined by 100-250 per cent at the farmers' end in the last one month due to a halt in transportation caused by blockade.
It said potato is being sold at Tk 5-6 per kg in Rangpur division, which was Tk12-13 per kg a month back.
The paper presenters said that guava in Pabnna is being traded at Tk 1,500 per 40 kg now, which was more than Tk 4,000 in the pre-blockade period.
They said Aman cultivators, milk producers, honey collectors, betel leaf farmers, poultry farmers, flower gardeners, rice mill workers, vegetable growers---all have seriously been affected by the political upheaval.
The paper presenters urged the political parties for reaching a consensus to save the country's economy and relieve the general people of the violent programme.
Umme Hasan, a member of non-government group Karmojibi Nari said food storage capacity should be enhanced at the village level to help protect the marginal farmers.
Mohsin Ali demanded compensation for the affected farmers and incentives for buying fertiliser in boro season.
He also demanded smooth supply of fertiliser in police protection, rescheduling of loan of farmers both by the banks and micro credit organisations.
Kaji Siddiqur Rahman said the government should make a list of farmers who are the victims of the blockade through the state-run Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).
He urged political parties to solve the problem in non-violent ways to let the poor farmers and the day labourers live.
Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad executive director Dr Nilufar Banu suggested formation of a committee by non-government activists to resist arson attacks and vandalism.
She said NGOs can make an anti-terror committee and go to the farmers and carry their products from distant places.
In his speech, Dr Ahmed said he will sit with some NGO representatives to form a committee in a few days.
He said the committee's first priority will be to force the government to make a list of the affected farmers to be compensated.
However, agriculture expert Dr M A Haider said farmers in Haor region cultivate Boro crop much earlier to avoid flash flood in May-June period.
He said if the political turbulence continues, the farmers will be hit hard as prices of crops will decline drastically in harvesting season in March-April due to lack of transportation.
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