Minister warns against fertilizer syndicates, pledges support for farmers
State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, MP, today said the country has adequate fertilizer stocks and no syndicate over fertilizer will be tolerated as was the case during the previous fascist regime.
"Action will be taken against whoever forms a syndicate over fertilizer," he said while addressing as the chief guest at a certificate distribution ceremony for waiver of agricultural loans for farmers at the Boda Government Pilot Model School and College ground here this afternoon.
Addressing the administration, the state minister said, "You will keep watch so that whoever creates irregularities over fertilizer, regardless of political affiliation, must be brought to the book ."
Mentioning the present government as farmer-friendly, he said it has taken various initiatives for the development of the agricultural sector.
Forhad said, in line with the commitment of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government will gradually provide family cards to four crore families across the country.
Distribution of farmer cards has already begun and 10,000 farmers in each upazila will receive the cards, he added.
Referring to the government’s determination to plant 25 crore trees to address the adverse impacts of climate change, he said trees will be planted to meet demand of oxygen and maintain environmental balance.
The state minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that healthcare services will be delivered to every doorstep and, as part of that initiative, the government will gradually transform every upazila hospital into a 101-bed hospital.
He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman fulfilled his commitment to the country's farmers by waiving the principal amount of TK 10,000 and the accrued interest on it at the first cabinet meeting while chairing on February 18, a day after taking oath on February 17.
He said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had waived agricultural loans of TK 5,000 during his tenure in office.
Deputy Commissioner Shukria Parvin chaired the discussion. Among others, Superintendent of Police Abu Sayeem, Boda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rabiul Islam, Upazila Agriculture Officer Ahemed Rashed Un Nabi and Boda Poura BNP General Secretary Dil Reza Ferdous Chinmoy addressed the function.
After the discussion, each farmer was given five fruit-bearing saplings along with a loan waiver certificate.
Through the programme, the State Minister handed over agricultural loan waiver certificates involving TK 8.73 crore to 5,890 farmers of Boda upazila. A total of 29,450 saplings, including fruit-bearing and forest trees, were also distributed among the beneficiaries at five saplings each.
At the end of the programme, the participating farmers took part in several traditional rural games, including duck-catching and banana tree games.
