Govt committed to ensuring fair price for farmers: Agri Minister

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid has said the government has undertaken multifaceted initiatives to economically empower farmers and is committed to ensuring fair prices for their produce.

He made these remarks after visiting Nasirnagar Medir Haor in Brahmanbaria on Saturday afternoon.

“The present government has taken various plans to strengthen farmers economically. Around 75 percent of the country’s population is linked with agriculture. The loss of their hard-earned crops is painful. The government wants to ensure fair prices for farmers,” the minister said.

Later in the afternoon, the minister is scheduled to inaugurate the distribution of 30 kg rice among affected farmers in the area.

On rice procurement and embankment repair issues, he said there is currently a district-level quota system for rice collection, which will be changed in the future.

“We will directly purchase rice from farmers at the union level through public announcements,” he added.

The minister also said a high-level committee has been formed to investigate whether the ‘All Weather Road’ in Kishoreganj is obstructing water flow. Necessary measures will be taken based on the committee’s findings.

During the visit, local MP MA Hannan, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Abu Saeed and Upazila Agriculture Officer Imran Hossain were present.

Officials said water levels in Medir Haor and surrounding areas have started to recede due to the absence of heavy rainfall. While this has brought some relief to farmers, significant crop damage has already occurred.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, around 305 hectares of Boro paddy land have been inundated due to hill torrents, causing an estimated loss of nearly Tk 13 crore. However, farmers claim the actual losses are higher.

Authorities have so far prepared a list of 2,500 affected farmers.

This season, around 11,000 hectares of land in Nasirnagar haor areas were brought under Boro cultivation. With water gradually receding, farmers are now trying to salvage and dry their harvested crops.

AM