President urges direct incentives for Farmers

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for delivering government incentives directly to farmers, warning that many are abandoning agriculture as the sector becomes increasingly unprofitable.

He made the remarks while exchanging views after visiting the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) in Gazipur on Thursday afternoon.

The president said farmers often failed to receive fair prices for their produce while being forced to buy seeds at higher prices, leaving them unable to recover their production costs.

“Government incentives must reach farmers directly,” he said, stressing the need to make agriculture financially viable and sustainable for those working in the sector.

Alamgir said agricultural problems should be addressed through research and called for improved facilities and benefits for agricultural scientists.

He also urged the government to introduce pension benefits for agricultural scientists, even if changes to existing laws were necessary.

Emphasising the need to reduce post-harvest losses, the president called for the development of cold storage facilities to preserve fruits and vegetables for extended periods. He urged the private sector to invest in such infrastructure.

Reflecting on the country's institutional challenges, Alamgir alleged that prolonged authoritarian rule had damaged institutions and allowed arbitrariness and corruption to spread across various sectors.

He said the country now had an opportunity to overcome those problems, adding that patience and gradual progress would be essential to achieving success.

The president's remarks highlighted the need for better financial support for farmers, stronger agricultural research and improved storage infrastructure to strengthen the country's agricultural sector.