Published: 12:10 AM, 21 October 2026
Farmers Deserve Fair Prices for Their Crops
Agriculture remains one of the principal pillars of Bangladesh's economy, providing livelihoods for millions of people and ensuring food security for the nation. Farmers work tirelessly through scorching heat, heavy rainfall, floods, droughts and other natural disasters to produce rice, vegetables, fruits and other essential crops. Yet, despite their enormous contribution to society, many farmers struggle to receive fair prices for their produce. This longstanding problem deserves urgent attention from the government, policymakers and all stakeholders in the agricultural sector. One of the greatest challenges faced by Bangladeshi farmers is the gap between production costs and the prices they receive in the market. The costs of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, agricultural machinery and labor have increased significantly in recent years. Farmers often borrow money to cultivate their land, hoping that a good harvest will enable them to repay their debts and support their families. Unfortunately, when crops are harvested, prices sometimes fall sharply because of oversupply, inadequate storage facilities and the influence of intermediaries. Consequently, farmers may be forced to sell their produce at prices that barely cover their expenses.
The situation is particularly frustrating when consumers pay high prices for agricultural products while farmers receive only a small share of the final retail price. A long chain of intermediaries, transportation costs and market inefficiencies often separates producers from consumers. This imbalance benefits neither farmers nor ordinary consumers. Farmers remain financially insecure, while urban and rural households struggle with expensive food.
The government must therefore establish effective mechanisms to ensure fair and remunerative prices for agricultural produce. Timely announcements of minimum support prices for major crops, transparent procurement systems and direct purchasing from farmers could help protect them from distress sales. Public investment in cold storage, warehouses, rural roads and modern supply chains would also reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers' bargaining power. Agricultural cooperatives and digital marketplaces can provide additional solutions by connecting farmers directly with wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Access to reliable market information would enable farmers to make informed decisions about what to grow, when to sell and where to find better prices. Affordable agricultural credit and crop insurance are equally important to reduce their financial vulnerability. Bangladesh cannot achieve sustainable agricultural development while those who produce its food remain economically disadvantaged. Fair prices are not a favor to farmers; they are a matter of economic justice and national responsibility. A prosperous agricultural sector supports food security, rural employment and overall economic stability.
