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Rights groups have expressed their disappointment over ‘inadequate’ allocation for the agricultural sector in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2018-19.
They also urged the government to review allocation for the interest of farmers and development of agriculture in the country.
Some 12 local and national farmers’ organisations jointly made the observation at a press conference held at the national press club on Monday in Dhaka.
The organisations included; Coastal Farmers’ Association, Bangladesh Fish Workers Alliance, Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation, National Women Farmers and Workers Association, Bangladesh Adibashi Samity, Haor Farmers and Fishers Alliance, Gram Labour Resource Centre, Nolchira Pani Unnayan Somity, Dighon CIG, Kendriyo Krishak Moitree, Bangladesh Farmers’ Forum and COAST Trust.
They said, only 2.99 per cent of the total budgetary allocation has been proposed for the agriculture sector, where around 46 per cent out of total labour force of the country are engaged in it.
Secretariat coordinator of Bangladesh Farmers Forum Mujibul Haque Munir presented the key note paper while Mustafa Kamal Akand of COAST Trust moderated the press conference.
Abdul Majid said the recent imposition of a 28 per cent duty on rice import would not benefit the farmers but it will benefit the middlemen.