Concern for Farmers: Rising Prices of Fertilizer and Diesel
In a recent development, the National Executive Committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah, expressed grave concerns over the escalating prices of fertilizers and diesel, stating that it has become a matter of life and death for farmers. Over the past 15 years, the cost of agricultural inputs has surged, forcing farmers to the brink of ruin.
Impact on Agricultural Sector
Naser highlighted the detrimental effects of the soaring prices on farmers, painting a grim picture of the agricultural landscape. He pointed out that the exorbitant costs of essential items like onions, potatoes, and rice have compelled Bangladesh to rely heavily on imported goods from neighboring countries like India. This overreliance on foreign produce threatens the self-sufficiency of the nation in terms of agriculture.
Rural Realities: A Farmer’s Plight
During a gathering of farmers at the premises of Rajarchar High School in Charmonai Union, Barishal Sadar Upazila, Naser shared distressing anecdotes of farmers struggling to make ends meet. He described how the price of cauliflower has skyrocketed, making it unaffordable for farmers to feed their cattle. What used to cost Tk. 5 per piece is now being sold in Dhaka for Tk. 50, leaving farmers in a perpetual cycle of loss.
Naser emphasized that if the prices of fertilizers and diesel continue to rise unchecked, the future of these farmers hangs in the balance. The promises of development and agricultural self-sufficiency made by the current government will remain hollow if the backbone of the nation, its farmers, continues to suffer.
Call for Action
The gathering, organized as part of a nationwide initiative by the Nationalist Farmers’ Association, aimed to address the pressing issues faced by farmers in the region. With representatives from various agricultural bodies present, including the Secretary of the South Barishal Farmers’ Association, Shafiul Alam Shafiq, and former Chairman of Barishal Sadar Upazila Farmers’ Association, Abdul Salam Raddi, the event underscored the urgent need for concrete solutions to alleviate the plight of farmers.
In conclusion, the escalating prices of fertilizers and diesel pose a significant threat to the livelihoods of farmers in Bangladesh. As the agricultural sector grapples with these challenges, the collective efforts of policymakers, agricultural experts, and community leaders are essential to safeguarding the interests of those who toil tirelessly to put food on our tables. Let us not forget the hands that feed us and strive towards a sustainable future for our agricultural community.
