2.7m farmers getting govt incentives

The government is providing 27 lakh farmers with Tk 170 crore worth of incentives across the country to increase Boro production.

Each of 15 lakh farmers will get 2kg of hybrid paddy seeds, which will cost the government Tk 82 crore, according to a notice from the agriculture ministry yesterday.

Another 12 lakh will get 5kg of seeds, 10kg of DAP and 10kg of MOP fertiliser free for cultivation on one bigha land, which will cost Tk 73 crore.

The remaining Tk 15 crore would be used for agricultural machines.

The ministry said it has already completed 50 percent of the distribution.

Earlier this year, flood hit the Sylhet division damaging crops. Marginal farmers were affected the most.

While the government promised a sufficient stimulus package so that the farmers can get back to cultivation, the money is inadequate and many farmers alleged anomalies in distribution.

Out of 30 farmers in a village, only 10 received the government help, said Abdul Jahur, a farmer of Ledarbond village in Sunamganj's Tahirpur upazila.

"Those favoured by local union parishad members get the help while we are cultivating on our own," he said.

Liton Miah, a farmer of Mohdipur village in Sunamganj's Dharmapasha upazila, got 5kg of seeds and 20kg of fertiliser under the stimulus package, but it came in at least 10 days late.

"I already sowed seeds purchased by taking loan," he said.

Over 3.37 lakh farmers in the division were affected by the flood that lasted several months since May 12, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension in Sylhet.

According to the DAE, 2.495 lakh farmers got stimulus amounting to Tk 13.249 crore.

On November 10, the government allotted Ufsi and hybrid seeds along with fertiliser to cultivate this region's key crop, the Boro paddy.

Of the stimulus, 1.10 lakh farmers got 5kg of seeds and 20kg of fertiliser each to cultivate one bigha of land. At the same time, another 1.395 lakh farmers got 2kg of hybrid Boro seeds each for one bigha of land.

"We must understand that the country has limited resources and it is hard to support all farmers with all the seeds and fertilisers they need. It would be great if more stimulus could be allotted, but we are trying our best to stand by the farmers," said Musharraf Hussain Khan, additional director of the DAE in the Sylhet division.

Asked about the anomalies, he said, "Our officials prepare the list with the help of local union parishad members and there might be favouritism due to their involvement. If we get serious allegations of anomalies, we will take necessary steps."

About the delayed distribution, he blamed the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) for it.

"They were responsible for the disbursement and they delayed a bit. Many farmers sowed seeds before the stimulus disbursement," he said, adding that the disbursement of corn and sunflower seeds is yet to begin.

Contacted, Obaidul Islam, additional general manager (seed distribution) of BADC, said 95 percent of the seeds and fertilisers have been disbursed.

"It is unfair to blame the whole process as we are trying our best to disburse with only 35 percent of the manpower."

[Our Sylhet correspondent contributed to this report.]