Small farmers need direct access to the markets for fair price

Small and marginal farmers need direct access to the markets to ensure fair prices for their agricultural products.

To this end, time-fitting steps should be taken to link every one of the farmers to the markets. Utmost emphasis should be given on arranging group marketing through the formation of farmers' organizations based on the selected areas.

Agricultural marketing experts and entrepreneurs came up with the observation while addressing a daylong regional marketing workshop here on Thursday.

The regional office of the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) organized the workshop at Victoria Convention Hall supported by the Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience (PARTNER).

The discussants discussed and devised ways and means on adopting best agriculture practices, promoting processing and generating exportable markets of agricultural goods.

DAM Director General Masud Karim addressed the workshop as chief guest, while Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Mahmudul Faruque, DAM Programme Director Dr Abdullah Al Faruque and Deputy Director Shahana Akhter Jahan spoke as special guests.

DAM Deputy Programme Director Masud Rana gave an illustration on the programme along with its aims, objectives and implementation strategy. Senior Monitoring Officers Bayazid Bostami and Rashidul Islam also spoke, disseminating their expertise on the issue.

In his remarks, DAM Director General Masud Karim said establishing market linkage between entrepreneurs and farmers has become an urgent need so that the fair price of agricultural products is ensured to the farmers.

He told the meeting that they are extending support in this regard.

Masud Karim also said the entrepreneurs with their efforts are playing vital roles in the development of the country's economy.

With this in view, the DAM has adopted a project for generating 20,000 entrepreneurs by boosting their capacity. They will work directly to produce various exportable agricultural products, including mango, jackfruit, potato, tomato and aromatic rice.

Apart from this, DAM will arrange training for young entrepreneurs abroad in the future.