The New Nation - Internet Edition

Boro cultivation is highly dependent on irrigation, of which almost 77 percent is diesel-fueled. Subsidy on diesel is needed as it is expected to help achieve output target of 17.5 million tonnes of rice from 4.40 million hactares of land brought under boro cultivation.

But achievement of this target depends much on the proper implementation of this welcome plan. A good plan is not supposed to bring expected results unless it is implemented on time.

The farmers are now at the peak of demand for diesel. So the concerned agencies of the government should expedite the whole process to ensure early distribution of subsidy. Corruption and nepotism are likely to stand on the way to accurate listing.

The authority must ensure that eligible farmers are not left out of the list while fake names are not included in it. To prevent misappropriation of the subsidy money, the genuine farmers might be given cards like the VGF cards. In that case precaution must be taken that the cards are not counterfeited.

A good harvest of the boro crops hinges upon successful cultivation by the marginal and poor farmers. So, the government must make all out efforts to make distribution of subsidy a success.

Ariful Huq

Dhaka