The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The maize growers called upon the government to revise maize price to save the farmers.

They demanded it at a press conference, held at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday. The Maize Association of Bangladesh (MAB) organised the press conference.

"We have invested Tk 16 for growing per kilogram of maize.

But, the government has fixed the maize price of Tk 13 per kilogram in the domestic market on August 6. It has incurred loss of Tk 3 per kilogram due to low maize price fixing," MAB Secretary General Md Mizanul Hoq said.

He added that the government also fixed the price of per kilogram of maize of Tk 42 for export, which is now selling at Tk 28 in the international market.

"The exporters of maize are now reluctant to export it due to high price fixing of maize from the international market," Mizan said.

"The maize growers exported 300 tonnes of maize in the year 2007-08 so far for the first time. They are reluctant to export the maize further as the government fails to revise the price immediately," he said.

"It is necessary to export maize after meeting the local demand.

AKM Azad, President of MAB called upon the government to provide agriculture loan to the maize growers.

Executive member of MAB Altaf Hossain, Member Ershad Hossain, among other, leaders were present in the press conference.