Agriculture is one of the foundations of Bangladesh's economy. Besides ensuring the country's food security, the farming community plays an important role in national development. Those who set out for the fields before first light, who grow crops in sun, rain and storm, supply food to crores of people. Yet ironically, it is the farmers who face the greatest uncertainty once the harvest is in. Still they keep working hard year after year. Sadly, many farmers are deprived of a fair price for what they produce. This holds back improvements in their lives and dampens interest in farming.

Today the farmer's biggest crisis is not only production but getting the right price for the produce. Although the cost of seed, fertiliser, irrigation, labour and transport rises constantly, crop prices do not rise in proportion. Farmers are often forced to sell below the cost of production, while the same produce sells for several times more in city markets. This disparity is a kind of silent injustice to farmers.

To make farming profitable, there is no alternative to putting a fair price in farmers' hands. The government needs to build modern storage facilities, agro-processing industries, direct market systems and digital marketing platforms. At the same time, the creation of artificial shortages and the tendency towards excessive profit in the market must be strictly controlled.

Bangladesh's agriculture has opened up many possibilities. Through modern technology, improved seed and farmers' tireless work, the country has achieved notable success in food production. But that success will only be meaningful when farmers receive a proper return for their labour.

Without smiles on farmers' faces, the country's development story will never be complete. The hands that guarantee our food must not fall away in despair. Ensuring farmers' rightful dues is not only about giving them what they are owed; it is about safeguarding a nation's food security, economic stability and future development. The value of the farmer's sweat must not be lost in market haggling. Let fair prices for farm produce be ensured, and let farmers' lives be dignified and full of hope.

The writer, Md Hefaz Uddin, is a student at Banshkhali Degree College.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.