The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a discussion in the capital yesterday called upon the government to cancel the Agriculture Trade Agreement with the World Bank as it does not protect the interest of the farmers.

They made this call at a discussion organised jointly by La Via Campesina, aninternational organization of the farmers and several farmers' organisations in the country in observance of the Farmers' Emancipation Day.

The discussion titled "Agriculture of Bangladesh and Land Reformation" was held at Progoti Auditorium of CPB office.

Sixteen countries including Bangladesh have been observing the day in homage to 19 farmers who were killed by the law enforcing agency of Brazil on April 17,1996 when they came out on the streets of that country to press home their demands

Addressing the discussion,AKM Masud, an agricultural researcher, alleged that the western countries were trying to damage the agriculture sector in Bangladesh by patronizing the use chemical fertiliser and insecticides on the farm lands to make them infertile. Once these chemicals are applied on the lands the farmers will never be able to grow crops and vegetables without using them. Some foreign countries are now involved in the conspiracy to make our country dependent on imported fertilisers, pesticides and other ingredients for their business gains, he noted.

Advocate Sabur, Executive Director of Bangladesh Krishok Samity, said the World Bank and other international organisations are responsible for the current food crisis in the country. The government should pay compensation in the agricultural sector to support the farmers in their struggle for survival, he stressed.

He also urged the government to give due attention for the improvement of the lot of the farmers.

Eng. Sheikh Mohammad Sahidullah, convener of National Committee of oil, gas, mineral resources, electricity and port protection; Mohammad Ali, General Secretary of Bangladesh Krishok Samity; Foyez Hossain, representative of La Via Campesina, among others, were present at the meeting.