The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Leaders of the Bangladesh Farmer's Association (BFA) yesterday called upon the Government to introduce foodgrain insurance for the farmers to ensure their food security.

"A huge quantity of foodgrains is damaged every year due to natural calamities," Morshed Ali, General Secretary of BFA said adding, " The losses of the farmers would be compensated if the government launched foodgrains insurance for them from the next budget."

He was addressing a press conference at the office of the Communist Party Bangladesh (CPB).

Morshed Ali said the farmers would be encouraged to produce additional crops if they got compensation for damages of their harvest through the foodgrain insurance.

He also urged the government to allocate more fund in the agriculture sector in next budget.

Advocate SM Sabur, President of BFA, said that the Government should take necessary steps to provide diesel subsidy to 'real' Boro farmers. He pointed out that the real 'Boro' farmers did not get diesel subsidy which the government started distributing from April 16 at different parts of the country.

"If the farmers got diesel subsidy, they would be encouraged to produce additional 'Aman' crops," he added.

He also called upon the government to ensure uninterrupted supply of agricultural inputs to the farmers.

"It is necessary to gear up the activities of the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) for smooth supply of agricultural inputs to the farmers," he further said.

Sazzad Zahir, Organising Secretary of BFA said the Government should set up foodgrains purchasing centre at village level so that growers get fair price for their produce.

Nurur Rahman Salim, Vice President and Hari Sadan Deb Brakan, Joint secretary also addressed the press conference.