Social organisation proposes farmer’s markets across cities to ensure fair prices

To ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their products, the social organisation ‘Poribortoner Lokkhe Janasamaj’ has proposed setting up farmer’s markets in various cities, ports, and towns. 

This proposal was presented at a press conference held at the National Press Club’s Abdus Salam Hall on Sunday.

The press conference, chaired by Abul Hasib Khan, former general secretary of the Bangladesh Chhatra League and coordinator of ‘Poribortoner Lokkhe Janasamaj’ saw Arifur Rahman presenting the objectives, methods, proposals, and recommendations of the organisation.

Arifur Rahman stated that fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides must be made easily accessible to farmers, and agricultural machinery should be provided at subsidized rates. He emphasised the need for farmers to form cooperative societies and urged the government to set up farmer’s markets in cities, ports, and towns to ensure farmers get a fair price for their products.

Arifur Rahman criticized Sheikh Hasina for fleeing the country during a major popular uprising and accused her of handing over national resources to a select few within her family and party, causing widespread suffering and injustice. He expressed the desire for Bangladesh to transform into a liberal, democratic, and equitable welfare state and called for national unity under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus.

The press conference also highlighted that farmers are currently unable to recover their production costs from selling their products, while consumers are forced to buy agricultural goods at double the price. 

Issues such as extortion during transportation, excessive transportation fees, and waste during the delivery of crops from the field to the consumer hinder farmers from receiving fair prices. Therefore, the government needs to address farmers’ development needs.

The organisation also proposed that no individual should serve more than two terms, or a maximum of 10 years, as Prime Minister. Furthermore, no individual should hold multiple positions such as Prime Minister, speaker of parliament, party leader, or general secretary simultaneously. 

Additionally, no one should hold the position of party president or general secretary for more than 10 years.

Arifur Rahman suggested forming a bicameral parliament and establishing an interim government from the upper house when the term of the lower house ends or if it is dissolved by the President.