Dhaka, May 17 (UNB)- Bangladesh Krishak Samity (BKS) on Friday called a nationwide sit-in protest for May 23 in front of deputy commissioners’ offices seeking fair prices for farm produces.
“We’ll call non-stop sit-in and nationwide road blockades next month if our demands are not met,” BKS General Secretary Sazzad Jahir Chandan told a human-chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the morning.
He pointed out that it costs more than Tk 850 to produce a maund of paddy but farmers are forced to sell them for about Tk500.
“The government must buy paddy directly from the farmers,” he said. “We demand setting up of procurement centres in every union.”
He also demanded ensuring crop insurance for farmers.
Chitto Ronjon, BKS Sylhet Haor area leader, said that the low prices mean that many farmers, who took loans, are unable to repay.
BKS President SMA Sabur said that the farmers protest and set fire to paddy field as they are denied fair prices.
“The government says that Bangladesh is self-sufficient in food. Who are behind this success?” he asked.
“Don’t encourage farmers to commit suicide. We urge the government to solve the problem immediately and fix fair prices,” Sabur said.
