Contract farming will deprive farmers of their freedom, Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar said today (November 12).

“Contract farming does not benefit farmers; on the contrary, it allows big companies to exploit agriculture. We need to examine to what extent farmers actually benefit from this system,” the advisor said at a table round organized in a hotel in Dhaka. press release from the ministry.

Mentioning that a farmer’s survival is not just about wages, she said: “Farmers do not get a fair price for their crops, and when rice prices rise, various problems arise, often leading to the importation of foodstuffs.

Farida added: “If farmers received subsidies to get food at a good price, imports would not be necessary, but we don’t do that. »

She also expressed concern over the growing trend of tobacco cultivation in the country, comparing it to the historical cultivation of indigo.

The advisor pointed out that economic pressures are forcing many farmers to abandon food crops in favor of tobacco, a very harmful practice.

She said women involved in tobacco cultivation face higher risks, especially pregnant women, who often suffer miscarriages (due to exposure to harmful chemicals).

“We need to consider how the contribution of agriculture to GDP decreases in a planned manner. Development does not mean that the importance of agriculture in GDP should decrease while other sectors increase,” the advisor said, calling for emphasis on this issue.

She also warned that the use of fertilizers and pesticides in the agricultural sector contributes to an increase in non-communicable diseases, including cancer, and stressed the need for greater awareness on this issue.

During the roundtable, speakers called for prioritizing fair wages, social security and equal opportunities for farmers, especially for women who are often invisible in the policy framework.

They highlighted the problems faced by the country’s farmers, the imbalance in wages and the need to guarantee their legitimate rights.

They also highlighted the challenges faced by farmers due to unfair pricing of agricultural products and transportation difficulties, which can have a significant impact on agricultural production.