Make pledges on land, agri reforms in polls manifesto

They said no development is possible without agricultural and land reforms, but it is a matter of regret that political parties do not attach importance in these sectors.

Bangladesh Sramajibi Kendra, a labour organisation, organised the seminar on "Political parties' pledges on land and agricultural reforms" at Women Voluntary Association in the city, says a press release.

Nurul Anwar, president of the organisation, presided over the seminar and read out a keynote paper.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics the number of agriculture labour is 63% and agriculture and rural labour is 83% out of total of six crore and 30 lakh labour forces in the country, Anwar said, adding that majority of these rural labourers are landless, jobless or seasonal jobless.

"Any development in the country is a far reached dream, if these labourers are not provided job and only reforms in land and agriculture sectors can ensure it," he observed.

Prof Shafiquzzaman of Economics department of Dhaka University said the agriculture sector has been remaining neglected for years in the country, as allocation in agriculture sector was 23% in 1972 but now this is only four per cent.

Communist Party of Bangladesh Presidium Member Morshed Ali, ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda, Samata Deputy Director Ayub Hossain and Bangladesh Krishak Federation General Secretary Zayed Iqbal Khan, among others, addressed the seminar.