Incorporate farmer-friendly issues in poll manifestos: Experts to political parties
At the event, economist Anu Muhammad said that despite increased production, farmers are committing suicide and suffering from complex diseases, including cancer.
Highlights
What pledges experts want in polls manifestos
- Identity cards for farmers, pension system
- Fair prices, interest-free agri loans demanded
- Protecting agricultural land, water bodies stressed
- Reducing chemical fertilisers, banning hazardous pesticides
- Conservation of indigenous crop varieties, fish, and livestock
Political parties should include farmer-friendly issues, including unique identity cards, crop insurance and pension system, in their election manifestos to improve the living standard of farmers, experts have demanded.
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They placed the demands at an event on safe agriculture and food management at the National Press Club today (18 January).
The demands also include ensuring farmers' rights; enforcing agricultural land protection laws; safeguarding soil health and agricultural biodiversity; ensuring farmers' rights over seeds and agricultural resources; and stopping encroachment and pollution of rivers, canals, and wetlands.
At the event, economist Anu Muhammad said that despite increased production, farmers are committing suicide and suffering from complex diseases, including cancer.
"Crop production is increasing in villages, but water is becoming poisonous. Groundwater levels are declining. Food is becoming toxic. A large proportion of cancer patients are farmers. This is not accidental—it is the outcome of the current development model," he said.
He warned that the impact of these problems wouldyes not remain limited to farmers alone but would eventually affect society as a whole.
The economist further said, "After the Green Revolution, agricultural research should have focused on protecting indigenous crop varieties, water resources, and biodiversity. Instead, research focused on increasing production rapidly. As a result, soil, water, and people are all being harmed."
Agriculture is no longer just a source of food production—it has become a major source of illness. This reality must be questioned, he added.
Other participants urged political parties and candidates contesting the upcoming national parliamentary election to prioritise the proposals by incorporating them into their election manifestos and declarations.
They stated that ensuring a safe, just, climate-resilient, profitable, healthy, pollution-free, sustainable, and sovereign agriculture and food system has become one of the most pressing challenges.
Others present at the event included Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) representative SM Nazer Hossain, Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) representative Shamsul Huda, Bangladesh Safe Food Alliance agronomist Aminul Islam Babu, among others.
