Farmers in a human chain in Rangpur. Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, April 20, 2025 (BSS) - Farmer leaders in a human chain cum roadside 
rally here today called upon the interim government to develop a welfare 
agricultural management for agriculture and farmers like developed 
countries.
 
They asked for initiatives to purchase agricultural products from farmers, 
store in warehouses, if necessary, export abroad and develop 
infrastructure for preservation to ensure food security by making farm 
activities profitable. 
 
They made the call from the roadside rally organized by Krishak Oikya 
Parishad, Bangladesh (KOPB) at Press Club premises here today on the fourth 
day of their week-long long march from Bogra to Panchagarh with ten-point 
demands. 
 
Moniruzzaman Talukder, Rangpur District President of KOPB, a non-political 
farmers' organisation, presided over the event.
 
Chairman of KOPB Krishibid Manjur Alam, its Secretary General Sultan Hossain, 
Organizing Secretary Dr Nazrul Islam, Agricultural Affairs Secretary 
Shahabuddin Farazi and Office Secretary Maksudur Rahman Khan addressed the 
event.
 
In addition, Kurigram District President of KOPB Masudur Rahman Jalal, its 
Lalmonirhat District President Rezaul Karim, Rangpur District Joint General 
Secretary Shamim Hasan, Kawnia Upazila President Arif Azad, among others, 
spoke.
 
The farmer leaders said that although the agricultural sector is the backbone 
of the country's economy, farmers are suffering and incurring losses today 
for various reasons. 
 
This time, they gave the example of potatoes produced, saying that since it 
is not possible to recover the cost of potato production, the current interim 
government must play an active role in saving farmers from any crop loss in 
the future.
 
In addition, the powerful business syndicate is there like a blow to farmers 
on the ground. 
 
They said farmers are struggling to survive with the negative effects of 
extreme drought and excessive rain. They also have to fight with sudden 
floods due to the unwanted water flow of the neighboring country. 
 
Every year, agricultural production is often disrupted due to natural 
disasters. Farmers are suffering huge losses. Marginal and small farmers are 
especially facing financial disaster. 
 
In his concluding speech, Moniruzzaman Talukder stressed the need to develop 
agricultural management that is beneficial for agriculture and farmers in the 
country like in the developed world to deal with these risks. 
 
The 10-point demand include formation of Potato and Onion Commission and 
establishment of upazila-based storage and export centers, establishment of 
farmers' markets throughout the country, simplification of agricultural loans 
and incentives, ensuring fair prices for agricultural products produced by 
freeing farmers from syndicates, stopping extortion and toll system in the 
transport of agricultural products and allocating railway coaches, 
introducing special allowances for farmers including allocation of khas and 
fallow land, providing agricultural insurance and financial assistance system 
by the government, ensuring provision of special medical services to farmers 
at 50 percent discount in government and private hospitals, including farmer 
representatives in various committees including the National Assembly and 
providing modern agricultural technology and making it practical.