Fair prices bypass vegetable growers: analysts
Vegetable growers are deprived of fair prices for their produce in the absence of proper storage and preservation, discussants said at a seminar yesterday.
''Although production has increased significantly, unfortunately any modern system of collection and preservation is yet to be established,'' said Shoaib Ahmed Choudhury, convenor of Agro-based Trade and Industry Standing Committee of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
DCCI organised a seminar at its office to discuss the status and future prospects of agriculture. Food and Disaster Management Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque was present at the discussion chaired by DCCI President Asif Ibrahim.
Over the past years, vegetable production increased as farmers have been growing it as cash crops, Choudhury said.
Total production of vegetables increased to 108 lakh tonnes in 2010 from 87 lakh tonnes in 2007, according to a paper presented by Choudhury. But vegetables being perishable get damaged in the absence of proper preservation, he said.
''When farmers grow more, they do not get fair prices because of poor preservation. Farmers suffer because of the glut,'' said M Nurul Alam, executive director of Krishi Gobeshona Foundation.
Niaz Rahim, group director of Rahimafrooz Ltd, stressed the need for development of cold stores and transportation.
“We waste 35 percent of vegetables in the absence of proper transportation,” said Rahim, who looks after Rahimafrooz's retail chain Agora.
He also made calls to make transportation of agricultural produces free from extortion and tolls.
On extortion on highways, Razzaque said the government is 'seriously' dealing with the issue.
The minister said the government aims to ensure food security by focusing on production of sufficient food domestically instead of depending on international markets.
“The 2007-08 food crisis has given us a lesson that having money does not help procure food,” Razzaque said
Sukamal Singha Choudhury, general manager for SME and special programmes of Bangladesh Bank, said the central bank encourages banks to finance agro-based enterprises in cluster areas.
He said the central bank has opened financing windows for entrepreneurs to boost investment in agriculture and agro-based industries.
''There is scope for financing,'' he said citing Equity Entrepreneurship Fund (EEF) and SME (refinance scheme for small and medium enterprises).
Choudhury said the central bank allows refinance facility for banks in 37 sub-sectors of agro-based industries.
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