The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shamim Jahangir

The budgetary provision of huge subsidy to the agriculture sector alone will not help increase food grains production if the government fails to ensure supply of agriculture inputs to the farmers in right time and in adequate quantity, according to farm experts.

The experts also laid stress on research activities in agriculture sector and creation of employment of opportunities for the graduates and others in this field.

The government has decided to increase subsidy in agriculture sector to Tk 8000 crore in the upcoming budget from Tk 3900 crore in the revised budget of last fiscal.

The size of the subsidy will be increased in the coming budget to raise production of 12 types of products including paddy, wheat, potato, maize and jute by 8 to 25 per cent in the next three years, official sources said.

Prof Akter Hossain, Vice- Chancellor of Bangladesh Agriculture University (BAU), welcomed the government decision to increase subsidy in agriculture sector and hoped that this measure would help ensure food security.

He at the same time underlined the importance of gearing up research activities in the agriculture sector.

Prof Nazmul Hasan, Student Affairs Adviser of the BAU, maintained that mere distribution of increased amount of subsidy would not help step up foodgrains production unless the supply of inputs and other support to the real farmers could be ensured.

He pointed out that the deputy commissioners in the districts have been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the distribution of fertilisers, seeds and other agricultural inputs to the growers. Proper of distribution of inputs among the farmers would be more ensured if the agriculture officers and block supervisors are involved in monitoring activities, he opined.

He further said that the distribution of agricultural inputs is now controlled by non-government organisations which was earlier done by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC).

A high official of department of agriculture extension (DAE) said it is not possible to increase production of foodgrains until the government could ensure fair price to the farmers for their produce.

The farmers didn't get TSP fertiliser during last Boro season. "The farmers could have produced 10 per cent additional Boro crops if the government ensured the supply TSP fertiliser a right time," he also said.

The leaders of the Bangladesh Farmer's Association (BFA) earlier 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 in different parts of the country," 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."

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.