The existing contract farming and fixed rent leasing systems are affecting soil fertility and violating the rights of landless and marginal farmers, according to a study.
About 2.0 per cent of the country's agricultural lands are becoming barren due to the present contract farming and fixed rent leasing systems, said the study conducted by Human Development Research Centre (HDRC).
It revealed that contract farming and fixed rent leasing are affecting fertility of 0.73 per cent and 1.4 per cent of total agricultural land respectively.
HDRC chief adviser Dr Abul Barkat presented the findings of the study styled "Present Form and Disempowerment Process of Rural Peasants" at a seminar held at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in the city on Tuesday.
The study was conducted in two northern districts-- Rangpur and Gaibandha.
Nijera Kori, ICCO Corporation, HDRC and Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) jointly arranged the seminar in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon spoke at the event as the chief guest while Nijera Kori coordinator Khushi Kabir chaired it.
Lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha and advocate Umme Kulsum Smriti, MP were present as the special guests.
The study said only 50.4 per cent of land now remains for rice production.
About 6.7 million and 4.5 million people in Gaibandha and Rangpur respectively have already suffered from soil infertility, indebtedness & financial losses due to these contract farming and fixed rent leasing systems, it added.
Speakers at the seminar called for formulating a law to protect the landless and marginal farmers and agricultural land across the country aiming to boost agricultural output and ensure food security for all.
Farmland is reducing alarmingly in the country as a section of people torture the country's farmers to grab their land, they said.
The speakers also called for collective efforts of all stakeholders to help protect the marginal farmers and farmlands in the country.
Mr Menon said food security has been a major issue as agricultural land is reducing day by day in the country.
Mr Badsha suggested setting up of an 'agricultural court' immediately. The government would announce the policy on purchase of agricultural products, he added.
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