RAJSHAHI, Oct 27, 2024 (BSS) - Speakers at a regional seminar here today
called for inclusion of female farmers in public services with ensuring agricultural loans for them.

Contributions of the female farmers in terms of boosting agricultural
production to both rural and urban areas is undeniable.

The speakers made the observations while sharing their views in the seminar styled "Inclusion of Female Farmers in Public services and bank loans and Existing Challenges" here today.

Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) and Rural Underprivileged Landless Farmer Organization (RULFAO) organized the seminar at the conference hall of NGO Forum for Public Health.

Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi division Tarafder Akter Jameel addressed the meeting as the chief guest while Zonal Manager of Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank Mohabbat Ali, Deputy Director of the Department of Women Affairs Shabnom Shirin and District Cooperative Officer Akram Hossain spoke as special guests.

With ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda in the chair, the meeting was
addressed, among others, by Professor Sabrina Naz and Prof Mubarra Siddiqua from Rajshahi University, Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Dr Sukumar Roy and Women Entrepreneur Dr Farida Parveen.

RULFAO Executive Director Afzal Hossain welcomed the participants while ALRD Programme Officer Mobinur Rahman presented a keynote paper on the issue.
 
Akter Jameel said the female farmers are producing crops and vegetables together with practicing organic agriculture contributing a lot towards protecting soil health side by side with supplying safe and nutritious foods.
 
He said rural women and small farmers are playing a vital role to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change. So, there is a need of giving recognition through selecting separate identity of the female farmers in agriculture policy, he added.

Besides, emphasis should be given on ensuring women inclusion in
public services and bank loans.

He also said that state and social initiatives should be taken to establish women rights in all stages for building an anti-discriminatory and prosperous Bangladesh as they constitute half of the total population.