Farmers shortchanged

EVERY year the government procures wheat directly from farmers. This year has been an exception for farmers in Boalmari upazila of Faridpur. From what has been published in a report in Prothom Alo on May 5, we understand that government stocks for wheat have been allegedly procured from ruling party leaders and business syndicates. That nearly 80 percent of the estimated 1.5million kilograms of wheat have been procured from such sources has left many farmers high and dry. What are the thousands of farmers to do now with their unsold crop? Especially since the prevalent market price per kilo of wheat is nearly Tk 6 less than the government rate of Tk 28.

This culture of bypassing set procedures is sure to play havoc on agriculture production. Farmers who have invested heavily in growing crops may be discouraged to do the same in the next production season. Allegations have emerged that this syndicate involves some influential leaders along with their cohorts in the party and some administrative and local government officials. While ruling party leaders at the upazila level may deny any wrongdoing, the flouting of the procurement rules cannot be allowed to be swept under the carpet. This calls for a scooping investigating by relevant authority. This is a matter of food security and farmers' rights which we hope will be treated with the importance it deserves.