The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Commitee on Agriculture Ministry agriculturist Shawkat Momen Shajahan said 'Crops Insurance' would help farmers protect from poverty.

He said the commitee recently sent a proposal to finance ministry for taking necessary measures for introducing crops insurance.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a national workshop titled "Farmers Friendly Agriculture Policy." A research organization Incidin Bangladesh organized the workshop at YWCA auditorium in the city.

Shawkat Momen said the government is strongly commited to making the country self-sufficient in food and for this it would formulate a Farmers' Friendly Agriculture Policy through amending the existing one, he said.

The non-government organizations and research institutes which are working with agriculture issues should initiate more programmes in this regard.

Mentioning that the opinion of marginal farmers is much vital in formulating a timely and effective agriculture policy, he said the improvement of condition of marginal farmers would be actual development of the country.

"Land reforms is important for development of agriculture," he said adding: "Preservation of farm land and ownership of land by sharecroppers would greatly contribute to raising production of crops." Stressing on e-Agriculture for improvement of agriculture management, he said in order to disseminate necessary information of farming to farmers, the utilization of technology should be increased.

Speaking as special guest, Fazle Hossain Badsha MP said it would not be enough to only formulate farmers' friendly agriculture policy, it is also needed to establish a farmers friendly state system. He said farmers and agriculture should give due share in the development process.

Executive Director of Incidin Bangladesh AKM Masud Ali presented a technical papers at the workshop, highlighting the problems identified by the farmers.

President of the National Agriculture Review Commitee Tofazzal Hossain Manju chaired the workshop. A large number of development workers, agri-scientists and leaders of farmers associations atended at the workshop.