Published: 12:26 AM, 28 September 2026 Last Update: 12:34 AM, 28 September 2026
Farmers Are The Country's Greatest and Genuine People: President
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that farmers are the true and finest people of the country and that they are the warriors who build the nation. He also said an initiative would be taken to introduce the "President's Agricultural Award" to honor and inspire farmers for new innovations and outstanding contributions to the agricultural sector.
He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon when an eight-member delegation led by Bangladesh Farmers Association President Md. Siddikur Rahman Kul Moyez paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban.
During the meeting, the President stressed the necessity of establishing a central national organization for farmers, regardless of political affiliation, ideology, or viewpoint, to ensure their overall development and protect their interests. He assured the farmers of all-out cooperation. At the same time, he advised them to communicate with the highest levels of government, including the agriculture and commerce ministers, and urged them to turn their demands and interests into a movement.
The President said, "Agriculture is the most positive sector of the country. Thanks to the sweat and hard work of farmers, the development of new high-yielding varieties and agricultural technologies, and the proper use of technology, crop production has increased many times over. Farmers do not engage in corruption; rather, they make important contributions to the progress of society and the state."
Referring to farmers' failure to receive fair prices for their agricultural products, he said an effective marketing system must be developed so that agricultural products and crops can easily reach consumers and farmers can receive proper prices. He urged farmers to become more proactive, aware, and vigilant in this regard.
The President said the current government has introduced a new scheme to ensure fair prices for agricultural products and promote farmers' development, and that Tk 3,000 crore has already been allocated for the scheme. He also said that, like former Prime Minister and national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, the current government has waived agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, for farmers.
Highlighting arrangements for agricultural loans at low interest rates and on easy terms, as well as various effective government measures for the development of agriculture and farmers, the President expressed hope that farmers would soon benefit from these initiatives.
During the meeting, the Farmers Association presented several demands to the President, including ensuring fair prices for agricultural products, providing interest-free loans, observing Farmers' Day and introducing national awards to recognize farmers, introducing crop insurance, ensuring farmers' representation on law-and-order committees at the district and upazila levels, protecting farmers from the risks of lightning strikes and snakebites, and supplying agricultural inputs at affordable prices.
The President said that fruits and agricultural products produced in the country have significant demand abroad and that there is enormous potential in this sector. He urged members of the association to take initiatives to export agricultural and processed products using modern technology.
The President also emphasized taking initiatives to establish agro-processing industries and modern cold-storage facilities, as well as using modern solar panels on farms. He assured the delegation that steps would also be taken to reduce interest rates on agricultural loans, particularly loans taken from NGOs.
During the meeting, the president of the Farmers Association informed the President about an initiative to organize a reception in Ishwardi for farmers aged over 70 in recognition of their contributions to agriculture, as well as a fair to showcase and commercialize modern agricultural products. He invited the President to attend the fair as the chief guest. The President expressed his interest in attending the event.
The President's secretaries were present during the meeting.
